Geospatial Data: National

Natural Earth is a great site for a variety of natural and socio-political datasets such as rivers, roads, boundaries, on a global scale. Includes large scale sets (detailed) and small scale (generalized) data. Natural Earth data is optimized for cartography.

TIGER/line, produced by the U.S. Census, is the go-to source United States features such as state, country, or city level boundaries, roads, rivers, etc. Geodatabase format is recommended.

GADM, the Database of Global Administrative Areas, has administrative boundaries and subdivisions (aka borders) for all countries.

Cartographic Boundary Files, by the U.S. Census, are simplified versions of TIGER/Line files. These are ideal for small scale (i.e. zoomed out) mapping projects, not necessarily for analysis.

Boundary and administrative data with select US Census demographic data. Shapefiles have demographic data pre-joined; Geodatabases come with features (i.e. shapes) packaged with Census data tables. Caveat: table headings are not descriptive --you'll have to refer to a codebook to know which variables are which.

Free spatial data. International in scope. Here you can find administrative boundaries, transportation, and more. Much of Diva's data is based on public domain VMAP data.

More geospatial/mapping data from the U.S. Census.

Landcover, boundaries, water, place names, elevation, and more on a small scale (national level). Good for cartography.

(CU Boulder users only) Social Explorer contains downloadable U.S. Census data tables. The advantage of Social Explorer is its easy to use interface. Tables can be downloaded then joined to geospatial data.

Data-Planet is a great starting point for finding data. Many of the datasets available here can be exported pre-joined to shapefiles for use in GIS. Lots of economic and social data.

Contains U.S. population, housing, industry, and business data. Can be accessed by dataset or topic. Tables can be downloaded and joined to geospatial data. Basically the same data that can be found in Social Explorer.

Provides pre-2000 U.S. Census data (American FactFinder only contains the two most recent censuses plus ACS data). Aggregate census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2013.

Global population database that shows geographical distribution of population at one-kilometer resolution over an average 24 hour period.

The Department of Education's source for school district boundary files and demographic data of school-age children delineated by school districts.

Download a variety of U.S. GIS data including topographic maps, elevation data, and hydrography.

Searchable map interface for USGS remote sensing imagery. Here you can access Landsat, ASTER, MODIS, aerial photos, and more.

Various raster landcover data sets for the United States. Includes layers for analytical purposes as well as generalized data for cartography.

Satellite acquired imagery and derived raster data from NASA. Best bet for ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model files.

Easily the quickest and easiest way to browse and access Landsat, Sentinal, and Modis satellite imagery.

The most comprehensive resource for all types of imagery for the U.S. and the world (from the USGS).

View and download geologic maps through the MapView portal or search the Map Catalog for other geologic resources.

Click the green start button then create an area of interest in the map viewer. Use the tabs across the top of the map to view download options.

Includes transportation, hydrography, hydrology, topographic (DRGs), geology, soils, conservation easements, and climate data.

Users can download the national hydrography data using the data viewer (map interface) or by region or state. Data available in geodatabase or shapefile format.

Shapefiles and geodatabases of wetlands by state.

Search NOAA's 70,000 geospatial datasets. This is a good place to find shoreline data, bathymetry, benthic maps, and other remote sensing data.

Download geospatial data on active fires worldwide.

View current fire locations across the United States.

Lat/Long coordinate of US fires since 1980

Fire occurances and risk assessment GIS data for Colorado.

Search interface for NASA's Earth Observing System of sattelites.

Climate normals across the US.

Search NOAA's 70,000 geospatial datasets. This is a good place to find shoreline data, bathymetry, benthic maps, and other remote sensing data.

Snow, permafrost, glacier, ice sheet data and more, from right here at CU. Searches can be limited to several geospatial formats.

30-year climate normals. Nationwide raster grid of temperature, precipitation, and more. 4km and 800m resolutions available.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has GIS-ready wind data at 50m surface elevation.

Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) site for geospatial data. Use the EPA Clip N Ship to use a webmap to search for datasets.

Various datasets related to wildlife conservation.

Here you can find USGS geospatial data to oil, gas, shale, and coal. Mine locations, oil fields, wells, etc.

Spatial data on extent of forest disturbances including beetle infestations and disease.