Updated: 04 Jun 2003

Global Mapping - what it is and Geoscience Australia's involvement

The Global Mapping concept was advocated by the Ministry of Construction of Japan as a response to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Brazil in 1992. Agenda 21 is an action program drawn up by the conference, and it clearly makes the case that global baseline spatial data is important. It is envisaged that the Global Mapping Project address the development of a suitable spatial data product. This would provide a tool to assist decision-makers addressing society's global environmental concerns.

Geoscience Australia is actively involved within the Global Mapping Project. Peter Holland is interim chair of the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM) and is the chairman for working Group 2 (Specifications). Geoscience Australia made significant contribution to drafting the global map specifications. Geoscience Australia also hosted the Fifth meeting of the ISCGM held in Canberra on the 20th November 1998.

Global map data for Australia is now available for download through the Download Free Global Map data page.

To view Global Map Data Australia - 1M go to the Map of Australia