In this Chapter, you will learn about:

• Framework data concepts and definitions of key terminology
• The principal forms and characteristics of framework data
• Examples of each of the principal forms of framework data

Framework data is the set of continuous and fully integrated geospatial data that provide context and reference information for the country. Framework data are expected to be widely used and generally applicable, either underpinning or enabling geospatial applications.

Why are framework data so important? Due to their applicability to such a wide variety of important government and industry business uses, framework data functions as the underpinning for many geospatial information applications across multiple organizations, as well as important ‘anchors’ for the development of integrated data sets for data collection, reporting and analytical processes.

Framework data take three principal forms:

1. Alignment layers;
2. Land Feature/Form layers; and,
3. Conceptual layers.

All framework data sets comply with certain standards regarding: content (i.e., what features are included in each data layer); structure (i.e., how the data is stored in the computer); and semantics (i.e., the meaning of the data, such as its type, what it represents (e.g., buildings, land cover, rivers), and what the spatial relationships and characteristics of those things are (e.g. that the river is connected to the lake); as well as the metadata (i.e., data about the data) that describes it. In Canada, those standards are defined by the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI). More information on the CGDI can be found in Chapter 5.

This section provides descriptions of possible framework data layers. While many of these layers are often available in different base map data sets, they may not be currently available in, or planned for addition to, GeoBase (those Geobase layers currently available are indicated below). Current framework data layers are available from the GeoBase Portal, described in Chapter 2 and other Internet portals, described in Chapter 3.