Layers and Metadata

Metadata or "data about data" describes the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of data. Metadata are used to organize and maintain investments in data, to provide information to data catalogs and clearinghouses, and to aid data transfers. The Federal Geographic Data Committee approved the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata on June 8, 1994. Since that time, many organizations within and outside of the Federal Government have adopted the FGDC metadata standard and are using automated indexing and serving mechanisms to provide access to their holdings through the Internet.

• The Lower 48 States
• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Pacific Trust Islands (Quam,Saipan)

Visit the Wetlands Mapper to find available data maps in your area of interest.

For more information about metadata, go to the FGDC Clearinghouse.