Article

Frameworks
Map Layers
Partners

In June 2004, a small-scale map of North America was released at the 11th regular session of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in Puebla, Mexico. This accurate and authoritative view of North America was made using a set of basic map information provided by national atlas programs in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Now the framework raw data that was used to produce this map is available from nationalatlas.gov.

North America map showing framework layers along the Mexico and United States border.

"Frameworks" are the basic foundation "layers" found in any map. North American framework map layers include populated places, political boundaries, hydrography, roads, railroads, ocean depths (bathymetry), glaciers, and sea ice. The staff of the National Atlas has worked in partnership with the Mexican National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Geomatics (Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática - INEGI) and the Atlas of Canada to produce these accurate and reliable map layers that cover all of North America. All map layers have been "harmonized" at international borders so that their attributes are consistent and so that geometric accuracy is ensured at a scale of 1:10,000,000. They are designed for those who need to visualize and analyze continental phenomena and issues such as air quality, energy management, transportation, trade, and biodiversity conservation. Any map information outside of Canada, Mexico, and the United States contained in these map layers is included solely to provide geographic context.

Map layers along the Canadian and United States border.The North American framework data are designed to form the foundation for new integrated thematic maps that illustrate cross-border conditions, challenges, and opportunities. The CEC has already used these framework data to produce a continental-scale map that identifies 28 high-priority West Coast protection areas, mapped by marine ecoregions. A copy of this map is included in the CEC publication, "Marine Priority Conservation Areas, Baja California to the Bering Sea." A map layer that depicts North American watersheds will be jointly published later in 2006.

North America map showing Glaciers and Bathymetry near Baffin Bay.Each nation is maintaining its own data and these map layers are also available from INEGI and the Atlas of Canada. All map layers are documented in compliance with national and international standards for geospatial metadata. All frameworks raw data and documentation are available to you at no cost. Follow these links to our Raw Data Download table.

Boundaries: Political Boundaries
Geology: Bathymetry
Map Reference: Populated Places
Transportation: Railroads, Roads
Water: Glaciers, Sea Ice, Hydrography (this last map layer includes shorelines)

• Atlas of Canada
• Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
• National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Geomatics (INEGI)