UNIT 6

SourceS of Vector Data

Structure_____________________________________________________
6.1 Introduction DIVA-GIS

Expected Learning Outcomes WRI

6.2 Vector Data GADM

Primary Data Sources Census Data

Secondary Data Sources Other Sources of Vector Data

6.3 Vector Data Sources 6.4 Data from National Geospatial Data
Centers
ISRO Bhuvan Geoportal
6.5 Data Quality Issues
Survey of India
6.6 Geospatial Internet of Things (IOT)
National Atlas and Thematic Mapping
Organisation 6.7 Summary
Geological Survey of India 6.9 Terminal Questions
FAO GeoNetwork 6.9 References
ESRI ArcGIS Hub 6.10 Further/Suggested Readings
Natural Earth 6.11 Answers

6.1 INTRODUCTION
We have learnt those real world features are represented as either raster data or vector data. In the
raster data type, real world features are represented as grids of fixed dimension whereas in vector
data type, the real world features are represented in the form of points, lines and polygons. You
have learnt about various sources of primary and secondary types of raster data in the previous
unit. In this unit, you will learn about various sources of primary and secondary types of vector data.
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Expected Learning Outcomes______________________________

After studying this unit, you should be able to:
 describe the primary and secondary vector data;
 discuss various sources of vector data; and
 write about the data quality issues and IoT in geoinformatics.

6.2 VECTOR DATA

Vector is the most popular form of representing features in GIS. The points,
lines and areas of vector data can describe almost all spatial features on the
Earth’s surface, we are interested in representing it in GIS and further
analysing. Road networks, school districts, accident locations, addresses, rivers
and streams-these features and many more are usually represented by vector
data. Besides using existing vector data, most geoinformatics practitioners will
end up creating their own vector data. You can create vector data by digitising
on the computer screen (referred to as ‘heads-up’ digitisation) or by digitising a
printed map on the digitising table (referred to as ‘heads-down’ digitisation. This
section provides a brief introduction to some of the more common vector
datasets (Fig. 6.1).

Fig. 6.1: Different types of vector data.

6.2.1 Primary Vector Data Sources

Sources of primary vector data are Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
derived data and ground survey data. You know that GNSS is an important
group of satellites that do not record imagery and rather provide locational
reference information on the Earth. This information is frequently used in data
analysis tools to record locations of surface features and also to reference
datasets as per the Earth’s coordinates. The GPS handset is the most common
tool receiving signals from GPS satellites to provide locational information (Fig.
6.2a). These satellites broadcast signals, which are used to derive precise
timing, location, and velocity information. The derived information can then be
clubbed with other systems, such as communication devices, computers, and
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software to perform a variety of functions. With equipment ranging from hand-

held receivers to rack-mounted electronics, the signals of GNSS can be used by
anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world.
Another source of vector data is the ground survey data, which are collected on
the ground (Fig. 6.2b). The practice of remote sensing depends largely upon the
use of accurate ground observations. However, the collection of ground data
requires systematic planning in the field. Hence, it is critical to carefully plan for
collecting ground truth data that best represents the ground reality. The
outcome may be simply an aerial photograph or high-resolution remote sensing
data annotated with current ground cover types or a set of ground truth data
sheets containing information on measurements and observations for each
sample site.

(a)

(b)
Fig. 6.2: a) A GNSS handset used in recording coordinates in the field; and b) A
performa of field data collection Sheet. (Source: a- modified from
https://www.garmin.co.in/products/outdoor/etrex10/)

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6.2.2 Secondary Data Sources

Digital data products converted from the primary raster data or derived from the
primary raster data are the examples of vector data (Fig. 6.3). Some of the
common products are land use/land cover maps, ground water potential zone
maps, etc.

(a) (b)
Fig. 6.3: a) Primary raster data i.e. a multispectral image from Sentinel satellite;
and b) LULC raster image derived from the primary raster data. Once the
derived raster product is converted to vector format, it would be an
example of secondary vector data.

After getting familiar with the types of vector data and their examples, let us
now learn the various sources of vector data.

6.3 VECTOR DATA SOURCES

There are many sources of vector data which may be available freely or at
some cost. However, you need to be sure and careful while using these maps
with regard to their appropriateness and accuracy. Some of the sources of
vector data are discussed here:
6.3.1 ISRO Bhuvan Geoportal
As discussed in previous unit, ISRO Bhuvan Geoportal hosts a range of
thematic products including vector database. The database that can be
visualised include infrastructure (i.e. rail and road), cadastral boundaries,
settlement locations, cities/towns over 1lakh population, hydrological
boundaries, waterbodies (reservoir and lakes), etc. (Fig. 6.4).
6.3.2 Survey of India
Survey of India (SOI), Dehradun, under the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India, has been engaged in the production and
maintenance of various types of topographical, geographical and many other
public series maps at various scales covering India, for the defence and
development of the nation (Fig. 6.5). One may access digital vector data of
administrative boundary database with district, taluka and village levels. It has
also deployed its expertise in the field of geodetic and geophysical surveys, the
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study of seismicity and seismotectonic, environmental and disaster

management, participation in Indian scientific expeditions to Antarctica,
Glaciology programs and other projects related to digital cartography and digital
photogrammetry, etc. to provide basic data to science and technology
requirements. The SOI supplies the topographic products (in both hardcopy and
digital form) to its users at 1:25,000; 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales. You can
find information on various types of maps published and distributed by SOI.

Fig. 6.4: A snapshot of the ISRO Bhuvan Geoportal showing various layers.
(Source: https://bhuvan-app1.nrsc.gov.in/bhuvan2d/bhuvan/bhuvan2d.php)

(a)
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(b)
Fig. 6.5: a) A snapshot of the SOI portal showing various data available; and b)
Onlinemaps portal of the Survey of India. (Source: a-
https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in/; b-
https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in/Digital_Product_Show.aspx)

6.3.3 National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Kolkata, is a
premier national thematic map and atlas-making organisation, under the
Ministry of Science & Technology, which publishes several maps and atlases at
small scales. A pioneer in thematic mapping services since its inception in
1956, NATMO is the only agency in the country catering to the requirements of
thematic maps and atlases for different sectors. It has the largest repository of
spatial and non-spatial data processed with great accuracy. With changing
times, NATMO also keeps pace with the latest technologies, like GIS, GPS and
remote sensing. Its geoportal provides all users unrestricted access to digital
versions (e-atlas and PDF maps) of all publications (Fig. 6.6)
(https://portal.natmo.gov.in/en/).

6.3.4 Geological Survey of India

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is one of the oldest survey organisations
in the world, and a premier organisation for Earth science studies. It is the

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custodian of the geoscientific database developed over 150 years. The main
products of GSI constitute different memoirs, records, journals, bulletins,
different thematic maps and atlases, and geological mapping at 1: 50,000 scale
for entire India. Bhukosh is a gateway to all geoscientific data of the Geological
Survey of India (GSI) (Fig. 6.7). You can access varieties of vector data on
different themes such as geology, geomorphology, geochemistry, general
geophysical, seismotectonic, landslide inventory, meteorites, etc. are available
on its portal http://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/Public (Fig. 6.8). The website
requires one to register so as to allow to utilise the additional functioning of
viewing dynamic legends, downloading the data and printing maps as per
prevalent policy.

Fig. 6.6: A snapshot of the products available on website of NATMO.

(Source: https://portal.natmo.gov.in/en/)

Fig. 6.7: A snapshot of the Bhukosh data portal of GSI.

(Source: http://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/Public)
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We can download the data and other relevant reports (Fig. 6.8). We can also
choose the data from State and District. Once we chose the options then we
can fill in the boundary and the limitations and download the data. The vector
link will be sent in the email within half an hour and with that we can download
the data of our interest.

Fig. 6.8: List of data and reports available are shown on the right side of the
webpage. (Source: https://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/MapViewer.aspx)

6.3.5 FAO GeoNetwork

Variety of thematic products can be accessed from the FAO GeoNetwork
(http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home) (Fig. 6.9). It provides
Internet access to interactive maps, satellite imagery and related spatial
databases maintained by FAO and its partners. Its purpose is to improve
access to and integrated use of spatial data and information. The spatial
database include various themes of soil (such as salt-affected soils, organic
carbon, Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Potential, soil map, etc.), land use
land cover, etc.

6.3.6 ESRI ArcGIS Hub

ESRI ArcGIS Hub is an easy-to-configure community engagement platform
(Fig. 6.10) that organises people, data, and tools through information-driven
initiatives. Government agencies, nonprofit groups, and academia can engage,
collaborate, and share data using this initiative. The portal contains piles of data
which can be searched by topic or location and download data in multiple GIS
formats. Ultimately, there is nothing more thorough for GIS data than the Esri
Open Data Hub.

6.3.7 Natural Earth

Natural Earth is a public domain map dataset available at 1:10 million, 1:50
million, and 1:110 million scales. Featuring tightly integrated vector and raster
data with Natural Earth, you can make a variety of visually pleasing, well-
crafted maps with cartography or GIS software. Data themes are available in

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(a)

(b)
Fig. 6.9: a) A snapshot of the FAO data portal; and b) List of data and reports
available are shown on the right side of the webpage. (Source: a-
https://data.apps.fao.org/map/catalog/srv/eng/catalog.search; b-
http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home)
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Fig. 6.10: A view of the ESRI ArcGIS hub.

(Source: https://www.esri.in/en-in/products/open-vision/standards/open-data)

three levels of detail. For vector data, themes are listed as Cultural and
Physical category pages (https://www.naturalearthdata.com/) (Fig. 6.11).

Fig. 6.11: Vector data are listed as Cultural and Physical in the Natural Earth
portal. (Source: https://www.naturalearthdata.com/)
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Warning: The administrative boundary of India shown in their data

is not correct.

6.3.8 DIVA-GIS
The DIVA-GIS provides free spatial data for the whole world that is used either
in DIVA-GIS or other programs. It is a free computer program for mapping and
geographic data analysis (Fig. 6.12). With DIVA-GIS, you can create maps of
the world, or of a very small area, using, for example, state boundaries, rivers,
satellite images, and the locations of sites where a particular animal species is
observed. Vector data are stored as ESRI shapefiles grid (raster) data are
stored as DIVA grid files. Each "shapefile" consists of at least three actual files.
This is a commonly used format that can be directly used in Arc-anything,
DIVA-GIS, and many other programs. Shapefiles contain a single class of
"vector" data, such as points, lines, or polygons. The files have been
compressed and grouped as ZIP files (www.diva-gis.org/gdata).

Fig. 6.12: A snapshot of the list of data available on DIVA-GIS portal.

(Source: www.diva-gis.org/gdata/)

6.3.9 WRI
There are several data that are hosted by WRI (World Resources Institute). Its
mission is “to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s

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environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current
and future generations” (https://www.wri.org/about/mission-values). It is
committed to provide open access to reliable data for actionable change. In
association with several partners it has built a suite of data products that enable
users to monitor forests with satellites, track the drivers of climate change,
understand indigenous communities land rights, plan for water scarcity,
examine the cross-section of global environmental issues and more thereby
enabling transparent decision making towards a sustainable future (Fig. 6.13).

Fig. 6.13: A snapshot of the list of dataset available on WRI portal.

(Source: https://datasets.wri.org/)

6.3.10 GADM
The GADM (https://gadm.org/) provides maps and spatial data for all countries
and their sub-divisions. The data are freely available for academic use and
other non-commercial use. However, redistribution or commercial use is not
allowed without prior permission. New releases are expected every three
months but the older versions can also be downloaded. One may download the
spatial data by country or for the entire world (https://gadm.org/).

Warning: The administrative boundary of India shown in their data

is not correct.

6.3.11 Census Data

Census tables are published in the form of a large collection of Excel files (Fig.
6.14). These tables are listed by census year (for the censuses 1991 onwards),
organised by series. To a large extent, census tables maintain the same design
over time to foster comparability of census outputs.

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(a)

(b)

Fig. 6.14: a) List of data types available for download; and b) A sample output
after computing and visualising the population data of Mirzapur, UP.
(Source: https://censusindia.gov.in)
All tables listed are also accessible through Census Digital Library (Fig. 6.14),
which provide more advanced search functionalities. Further, those data can be
computed and visualised in a geospatial software to achieve the required output
(https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables).
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Globally, there are many other websites from where one can access socio-
economic data such as the following:
 NASA’s Socio-economic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)
(https://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/)
 Terra Populus (https://www.terrapop.org/)
 Worldpop (http://www.worldpop.org.uk/)
 Global Rural-Urban Mapping Project (GRUMP)
(http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/collection/grump-v1)

6.3.12 Other Sources Of Vector Data

There are some other sources from where vector data can be accessed. Some
of these sources are:
 GSHHG (World Vector Shorelines)
(https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/shorelines/data/gshhg/latest/)
 http://www.poi-factory.com/
 https://unstats-undesa.opendata.arcgis.com/
 INSPIRE Geoportal (https://inspire-geoportal.ec.europa.eu/)
 Integrated Population and Environmental Data (https://terra.ipums.org/)
 International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM)
(https://globalmaps.github.io/)
 Open Street Map (https://www.openstreetmap.org)
 OpenDataPhilly (https://opendataphilly.org/datasets/)
 OpenLayers (https://openlayers.org/)
 The Digital Chart of the World
 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
(https://www.unep.org/publications-data)
 http://landcover.org/

SAQ I
a) What is NATMO?
b) What is Bhukosh?
c) What is WRI?

6.4 DATA FROM NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA

CENTERS
In India, there are several data centres from where one can procure data. List
of the geospatial data centers across India is given in Table 6.1 along with their
addresses (https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/pages/geo-spatial-data-centers).
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Table 6.1: Geospatial data centers across India.

No. Name of the Centre Address
Director, Andhra Pradesh Geospatial Data Centre,
Andhra Pradesh
Survey of India, Uppal, Hyderabad-500039
1 Geospatial Data
Ph.: 040-27200359; Fax: 040-27202059
Centre, Hyderabad
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Director, Assam & Nagaland Geospatial Data centre,
Assam and Nagaland Survey of India, Ganeshguri Chariali Dispur,
2 Geospatial Data Guwahati - 781006
Centre, Guwahati Ph.: 0361/ 2234370, Fax No. 0361/ 2261725
E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Bihar Geospatial Data Centre, 164 A/B,
Sheikhpura House (Near JD Women's College),
Bihar Geospatial Data PO- B.V. College, Patna-800014 (Bihar).
3
Centre, Patna Ph.:0612-2280756 (EPABX), 2280261, 2280265
Fax: 0612-2280265
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Chhattisgarh Director, Chhattisgarh Geospatial Data Centre,
Geospatial Data Survey of India, Reena Apartment, 3rd Floor,
4
Centre, Raipur Pachpedi Naka, Dhamtari Road, Raipur-492001
Fax: 0771-2411135 E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Gujarat, Daman & Diu Geospatial Data
Gujarat, Daman & Diu Centre, Survey of India, Sir Creek Bhavan, Sector 10-
Geospatial A, Gandhinagar-382010, P.O. Box No. 1
5
Data Centre, Ph.: 079-23238469
Gandhinagar Fax: 079-23237518,079-23240451,079-2324052
E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected]
Director, Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh Geospatial
Punjab, Haryana &
Data Centre, Survey of India, Survey Complex,
Chandigarh
6 Dakshin Marg, Sector 32 A, Chandigarh - 160030,
Geospatial Data
Ph.: 0172-2600031, 2602607 Fax: 0172-2604671,
Centre, Chandigarh
E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Himachal Pradesh Geospatial Data Centre,
Himachal Pradesh
Survey of India, SOI Complex, Dakshin Marg, Sector
7 Geospatial Data
32 A, Chandigarh - 160030
Centre, Chandigarh
Fax: 0172-2613398, E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Jammu & Kashmir Geospatial Data Centre,
Jammu & Kashmir H No.65, Zorwar Stadium, Channi Himmat,
8 Geospatial Data Jammu - 180015 (J & K)
Centre, Jammu Ph.: 0191-2466556, Fax: 0191-2450185
E-mail:[email protected]
Director, Jharkhand Geospatial Data Centre, Survey
of India, Near Magistrate Colony, Doranda, Ranchi-
Jharkhand Geospatial
9 834002, Jharkhand
Data Centre, Ranchi
Ph.: 0651-2482789, 2481386, Fax: 0651-2482789
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Director, Karnataka Geospatial Data Centre, Survey
Karnataka Geospatial
of India, Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, 2nd Block,
10 Data Centre,
Bangalore – 560034
Bangalore
Fax: 080-25533595, E-mail: [email protected]
Kerala and Director, Kerala and Lakshadweep Geospatial Data
11 Lakshadweep Centre, Survey of India, CGO Complex, Poonkulam,
Geospatial Vellayani PO, Thiruvananthapuram - 695522

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Data Centre, Fax: 0471-2481852,
Thiruvananthapuram E-mail:[email protected]
Additional Surveyor General, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of India, Survey
12 Geospatial Data
Colony, Vijay Nagar, Jabalpur- 482002
Centre, Jabalpur
Fax: 0761-2643182, E-mail: [email protected]
Additional Surveyor General, Maharashtra and Goa
Maharashtra and Goa Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of India, Phulenagar,
13 Geospatial Data Alandi Road, Pune – 411006
Centre, Pune Fax: 020-26614665,
E-mail: [email protected]
Meghalaya and Director, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh
Arunanchal Pradesh Geospatial Data centre, Survey of India, Post Box
14
Geospatial Data No.89, MALKI, Shillong - 793001 (Meghalaya)
Centre, Shillong Fax: 0364-2224937, E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Orissa Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of
Orissa Geospatial India, Survey Bhawan, PO - RR Laboratory,
15 Data Centre, Bhubaneshwar - 751013
Bhubaneshwar Ph.: 0674-2300355, Fax: 0674-2301418,
E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Rajasthan Geospatial Data Centre, Survey
of India, Great Arc Bhawan, Sector-10, Vidyadhar
Rajasthan Geospatial
16 Nagar, Jaipur- 302023
Data Centre, Jaipur
Ph.: 0141-2236840, Fax: 0141-2236891
E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Delhi Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of
Survey (Air) and Delhi India, West Block No.4, R.K. Puram, New Delhi -
17 Geospatial Data 110066
Centre, New Delhi Fax: 011-26196301, 26107035
E-mail: [email protected]
Tamilnadu, Director, Tamilnadu, Pondicherry and Andaman &
Pondicherry and Nicobar Island Geospatial Data Centre Survey of
18 Andaman & Nicobar India Block-III, Electronics Complex, Thiru-Vi-Ka
Island Geospatial Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai-600032
Data Centre, Chennai Fax: 044-22328145, E-mail: [email protected]
Tripura, Manipur and Director, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram Geospatial
Mizoram Data Centre, Survey of India, P.O. Rangir Khari,
19
Geospatial Data N.S. Avenue, Haila Kandi Road, Silchar - 788005,
Centre, Silchar Fax: 03842-240555
The Director, East Uttar Pradesh Geospatial Data
Centre (N.Z.), Survey of India,
B-2, 2nd Floor, Pickup Bhavan, Vibhuti Khand,
East Uttar Pradesh
Gomati Nagar, Lucknow (U.P.) - 226 010,
20 Geospatial Data
Ph.: (0522) 2720740, 4102260, 2306185,
Centre, Lucknow
4102259(Official), 2733671(Resi), 2720634(Fax),
9415330053(Mob.); EPBAX No.: 0522-2720638;
E-mail: [email protected]
Director, Uttarakhand & West Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand & West
Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of India, 17 E.C.
Uttar Pradesh
21 Road, Dehradun-248001
Geospatial Data
Fax: 0135-2656402,
Centre, Dehradun
E-mail: [email protected]

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Additional Surveyor General, West Bengal & Sikkim
West Bengal & Sikkim Geospatial Data Centre, Survey of India, No.13,
22 Geospatial Data Wood Street, Kolkata – 700016
Centre, Kolkata Ph.: 033-2287-2155/5732/5733/5734, Fax: 033-
22879038, E-mail: [email protected]

We have learnt about various sources from where we can access and
download different types of vector data.
In the next section, we will discuss about the quality issues of such data.

6.5 DATA QUALITY ISSUES

However, as discussed in the previous unit, you need to be aware of the (i)
quality of the data you have accessed, (ii) accuracy and appropriateness of the
administrative boundaries, (iii) terms and conditions for usage, reproduction and
redistribution of the downloaded data, (iv) terms and conditions for using
copyrighted data, and also (v) appropriate way of acknowledgement/
attribution/citation/credit of the data sources.
Data quality is a major concern with the many of the available data. One should
be aware of the limitations of the methodology used in data collection (including
that of the instruments used and environmental conditions prevailing at the
time), scanning/digitisation, processing, analysis and representation of such
data. When we talk of data quality, we should be aware of discrepancies and
inconsistencies present in the data, scale of the mapping, how much error
(random or systematic) they contain, relevance and suitability of the data for the
application area of our interest, etc.
Let us now learn about IoT (Internet of Things), which has become important in
the context of geospatial data also.

6.6 GEOSPATIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

Before understanding geospatial IoT, let us first learn what is IoT. The term IoT
(Internet of Things) has been a buzzword for some time. In simple words, we
can say that IoT integrates everyday “things” with the internet. IoT refers to the
collective network of connected devices and the technology that facilitates
communication between the devices and the cloud, as well as amongst the
devices. The network of devices is connected to the internet to share some kind
of information. These devices contain some technology that allows
communication and interaction amongst them and also with the external
environment. Computer/Electronics engineers have been adding sensors and
processors to everyday objects since the 90s. A typical IoT system works
through the real-time collection and exchange of data.
A typical IoT system has three components: (a) Smart devices, like a television,
security camera, or exercise equipment having computing capabilities, can
collect data from users’ inputs or usage patterns and surrounding environment,
and communicate data over the internet to and from their IoT applications; (b)
IoT application, which is a collection of services and software that integrates
data received from various IoT devices by use of artificial intelligence (AI)

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technology to process and analyse the data, make informed decisions, and
communicate the decisions back to the IoT devices, with the IoT devices then
responding intelligently to the inputs; and (c) A graphical user interface to
manage the IoT devices. Common examples include a mobile application or
website that can be used to register and control the smart devices.
The IoT has a wide-ranging impact on human life and work. Some examples of
IoT systems in use today are Connected cars, Connected homes, Smart cities,
Smart buildings, etc. It can be helpful in better decision making, real time
tracking and monitoring, automation, etc.
Since, location data is critical for IoT, geospatial IoT provides unique location
and time information along with other data about the devices being monitored.
By connecting such devices (/sensors) in different locations such as homes,
business, etc. it becomes possible to monitor and track a variety of information
in real-time and space, and also enabling performing of different spatial
operations. For example, one can monitor air quality reading in real time
through the air quality readings from IoT sensors (https://www2.purpleair.com/).
Geospatial IoT is considered to have much scope in future because the number
of devices connected on the Internet has long exceeded the number of people.
And with technological developments costs of sensors and cloud based
computing resources have drastically reduced and become much more
affordable then past. These coupled with the increased use of AI have led to
advancements and applications of IoT in the domain of geoinformatics. A
special issue concerning the Geospatial IoT covers some relevant aspects
(https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijgi/special_issues/Geospatial_IoT).

SAQ II
a) What are the points one should be cautious while using data from any
external source?
b) What is “Internet of Things”.
c) How is IoT relevant in the context of geospatial data?

6.7 SUMMARY
You have learnt the following in this unit:
 Vector is the most popular form of representing features in GIS. The points,
lines and areas of vector data can describe almost all spatial features on the
Earth’s surface.
 Primary vector data sources are (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) GPS-
derived data and ground survey data. There is another important group of
satellites that do not record imagery and rather provide locational reference
information on the Earth.
 Digital data products converted from the primary raster data or derived from
the primary raster data are the examples of vector data.
 There are many sources of vector data either at some cost or free.
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 National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Kolkata, is a

premier national thematic map and atlas-making organisation, under the
Ministry of Science & Technology, which publishes several maps and atlases
at small scales.
 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is one of the oldest survey
organisations in the world, and a premier organisation for Earth science
studies. It is the custodian of the geoscientific database developed over 150
years.
 Census tables are published in the form of a large collection of Excel files. To
a large extent, census tables maintain the same design over time to foster
comparability of census outputs.
 Data quality is a major issue with the data available on public domain as they
may contain certain errors. Hence we should be very careful while using any
of such data. Also, one needs to be aware of the terms and conditions befoe
making use of such data and their redistribution besides appropriate citation
and acknowledgement.
 Internet of Things refers to the collective network of connected devices and
the technology that facilitates communication between the devices and the
cloud, as well as amongst the devices. IoT application is a collection of
services and software that integrates data received from various IoT devices.

6.8 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. Discuss in brief about vector data types.
2. Write about the sources of vector data.
3. Give some names of Indian agencies providing vector data.
4. Discuss about errors that decreases the data quality.
5. Write about IoT and its importance.

6.9 REFERENCES
 http://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/Public
 http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/data/collection/grump-v1
 http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home
 http://www.worldpop.org.uk/
 https://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/MapViewer.aspx
 https://bhuvan-app1.nrsc.gov.in/bhuvan2d/bhuvan/bhuvan2d.php
 https://censusindia.gov.in
 https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables
 https://customer.precisely.com/s/article/Open-Source-Data-Links-to-Free-
Vector-Raster-datasets?language=en_US
 https://data.apps.fao.org/map/catalog/srv/eng/catalog.search

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 https://datasets.wri.org/
 https://gadm.org/
 https://gisgeography.com/best-free-gis-data-sources-raster-vector/
 https://hub.arcgis.com/search?collection=Dataset
 https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in
 https://onlinemaps.surveyofindia.gov.in/Digital_Product_Show.aspx
 https://portal.natmo.gov.in/en/
 https://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/
 https://terra.ipums.org/
 https://www.garmin.co.in/products/outdoor/etrex10/
 https://www.gislounge.com/gis-data-a-look-at-accuracy-precision-and-types-
of-errors/
 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijgi/special_issues/Geospatial_IoT
 https://www.naturalearthdata.com/
 https://www.openstreetmap.org
 https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/pages/geo-spatial-data-centers
 https://www.terrapop.org/
 https://www.wri.org/about/mission-values
 www.diva-gis.org/gdata/

6.10 FURTHER/SUGGESTED READINGS

 http://vterrain.org/Culture/vector.html
 https://gisgeography.com/best-free-gis-data-sources-raster-vector/

 https://gisgeography.com/internet-of-things-iot/

 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9183835

 https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/blog/articles/iot-and-gis-creating-the-
nervous-system-for-digital-twins/

 https://www.infosysbpm.com/blogs/geospatial-data-services/iot-in-gis-
futuristic-use-cases.html

 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijgi/special_issues/Geospatial_IoT
 https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/pages/geo-spatial-data-centers

6.11 ANSWERS
SAQ I
a) National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Kolkata, is a
premier national thematic map and atlas-making organisation, under the
Ministry of Science & Technology, which publishes several maps and
atlases at small scales. A pioneer in thematic mapping services since its
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inception in 1956, NATMO is the only agency in the country catering to the
requirements of thematic maps and atlases for different sectors.
b) Bhukosh is a gateway to all geoscientific data of the Geological Survey of
India. Variety of data for applications, like geology, geochemistry, general
geophysical data, seismotectonic, landslide inventory is available at this
data portal, http://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/Public.
c) WRI stands for World Resources Institute. It hosts a suite of data products
which has been built in association with several partners enabling users to
monitor forests with satellites, track the drivers of climate change,
understand indigenous communities land rights, plan for water scarcity,
examine the cross-section of global environmental issues and more thereby
enabling transparent decision making towards a sustainable future.

SAQ II
a) While using data from any external source, one needs to be aware and
cautious of the (i) quality of the data, (ii) accuracy and appropriateness of the
administrative boundaries, (iii) terms and conditions for usage, reproduction
and redistribution of the data, (iv) terms and conditions for using copyrighted
data, and also (v) appropriate way of acknowledgement/ attribution/ citation/
credit of the data sources.
b) The term IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the collective network of
connected devices and the technology that facilitates the communication
between devices and the cloud, as well as amongst the devices. The IoT
integrates everyday “things” with the internet.
c) IoT is a network of connected devices and geoinformatics is a location
(space) related technology that visualises, process and analyses geospatial
information. IoT is relevant in the context of geospatial data it pertains to a
location and provides unique location and time information along with other
data about the devices being monitored. So, by connecting such devices
(/sensors) in different locations such as homes, business, etc. it becomes
possible to monitor and track a variety of information in real-time and space,
and also enabling performing of different spatial operations including some
complex geospatial analyses in the fields of smart buildings, smart cities,
disaster management, etc.

Terminal Questions
1. Pease refer to section 6.2.
2. Please refer to section 6.3.
3. Please refer to section 6.3 and 6.4.
4. Please refer to section 6.5.
5. Please refer to section 6.6.

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154 Contributors: Prof. Benidhar Deshmukh & Ms. Sujang Khiamniungan