ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announce that they have signed a cooperative agreement for the distribution of the USGS Global Geographic Information System (GIS) database to educators and the general public. The Global GIS Series is a digital world atlas consisting of one DVD-ROM with the entire data set or seven regional CD-ROMs.

    The USGS Global GIS database contains a wide range of information from the USGS archives and from other public domain sources, including geology, hydrology, volcanoes, seismicity, ore deposits, energy resource data, climate data, and ecological regions. Other useful geographical and cultural data, such as country boundaries, locations of cities, elevations, population density, roads, airfields, and utility lines, are also included in the atlas.

    “We think this is a fantastic educational opportunity,” said Marcus E. Milling, AGI Executive Director. “The integration of these data at a global scale will help demonstrate basic principles of Earth science and provide the most effective kind of instruction for students. Furthermore, the data package dovetails very well with AGI’s existing K-12 curricula.”

    “Through this partnership, our organizations can work together to facilitate access to global spatial data sets and easy-to-use GIS tools, and also provide a global perspective on Earth science issues,” said Barb Ryan, USGS Associate Director for Geography. “Such a global perspective is a natural progression from the national perspective provided by The National Map and the National Atlas.”

    At a scale of 1:1 million or approximately 1 km resolution, the data are ideal for government officials, researchers, educators, the private sector, and the general public for conducting regional-scale customized analyses using the GIS software provided with the atlas or using commercially available ArcView software. The agreement also provides significant opportunities for expanding the use of global geospatial data, particularly for incorporation into new educational materials.

    CD-ROMs for Central and South America, Africa, South Asia, and the South Pacific are currently available. The remaining regions – North Eurasia, North America, and Europe – will be available by the end of 2002. The world atlas on DVD-ROM will be available in early 2003. The Global GIS Series is available from AGI at a list price of $29.95 for each of the regional CD-ROMs and $149.95 for the DVD-ROM. Members of AGI member societies receive a 20% discount. Orders may be placed through the AGI Publications Center at http://www.agiweb.org/pubs, or by mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail (American Geological Institute, Attention: Publications Center, 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA  22302, Tel: (703) 379-2480, Fax: (703) 379-7563, E-mail: pubs@agiweb.org). For deliveries in the contiguous U.S., please add $7.00 for postage and handling costs for the first CD-ROM or DVD-ROM and $1.25 more for each additional CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. Orders to addresses in Maryland and Virginia are subject to the applicable sales tax. All orders must be prepaid. Please make your check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. funds payable to the American Geological Institute. AGI also accepts VISA and MasterCard. Orders are shipped by UPS Standard Service, whenever possible, and take two to three weeks for delivery. For additional information or for costs for overseas shipping, contact the AGI Publications Department.

    The U.S. Geological Survey serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

    The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 40 geoscientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in mankind's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/. The Institute also provides a public-outreach web site, http://www.earthscienceworld.org/.
 

Back to top