METADATA

To locate metadata on the Arizona Electronic Atlas site, simply click on Make a Map, select a map theme, then click on the link for a data layer to view the metadata. Metadata can be printed or saved from this site. The Arizona Electronic Atlas presently contains metadata that is brief and will not address all questions that you may have. We will continue to improve our metadata as the site matures. Questions regarding specific metadata should be directed to the source listed.

When you download a data layer, if full metadata is available, it will be integrated into the shapefile. To view the metadata, you will need to use ArcGIS software.

Data layer field names in the map themes have been "aliased" (given more understandable names). When you download a data layer the field names will be different than when you use the Show Data or Advanced Query functions in one of the map themes.

What is Metadata?

Spatial metadata describes geospatial data. Metadata is necessary to determine whether the spatial data set you view meets your criteria for further use and analysis. Some of the questions metadata can answer are listed below:

Where did it originate?
What is the purpose of the data?
What is the scale of the data?
What steps were followed to create it?
What attributes does it contain?
How are the data projected?
What geographic area does it cover?
How do I obtain the data?
Will the data cost anything?
Who should I contact for more information?

Government metadata is standardized and should answer all of these questions. The standards for government geospatial metadata can be located online at http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/geospatial-metadata-standards. Metadata from other sources, such as state and local government varies in content and depth. [From http://imgs.intergraph.com/smms/metadata.asp]