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Thursday 12 November 2015

Where can I get free Datasets of Malaysia?


Recently, my post on Vegetation Maps and Stimulated Minds sparked some discussions on missing information and gaps on the maps (why the sea is red or the lakes are missing). It hit me to the core that when I produce the map, I need to ensure the maximum amount of perceived accuracy and proper cartographic representation for the maps I produce.

Hence, I commenced a continuous project to create a geodatabase of freely available of GIS data of Malaysia (since Malaysia do not practice open data - hence the search gets difficult). Coincidentally, the big GIS FB group Admin talked about collecting datasets to make it available to anyone in the group (last count : more than 5000 members)

As I am regular producer of Malaysian maps for many people, I have assembled (work in progress) a list of sources. For those who are interested with complete metadata description (terms of usage etc.), please contact me directly on the blog.

Administrative Boundaries/Electoral Boundaries

  1. http://www.diva-gis.org/  (Coarse resolution ,outdated boundaries of state, district level boundaries - Perak Boundary is inaccurate, Labuan has been omitted) - home to other coarse resolution data like roads, population density
  2. https://revolutionarygis.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/malaysia-states/ (Fairly accurate state boundaries of Malaysia - no statement on terms of usage)
  3. For Electoral boundaries, there is no freely available spatial data (please lodge the request privately to me and I will seek approval from the source)

Topography/Bathymetry/ Physical Features

  1. https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/online_delivery/gebco/gebco_30_second_grid/ (For bathymetry for general purpose - please do not distribute the data from one person to another, download straight from the website)
  2. http://gdem.ersdac.jspacesystems.or.jp/ (Topography for non-commercial purposes)
  3. http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/ (Topography data (coarser resolution))
  4. http://topotools.cr.usgs.gov/gmted_viewer/viewer.htm (Coarser resolution for Topographic data)
  5. http://geonames.nga.mil/gns/html/namefiles.html (For hydrographic, hypsographic features in excel format with coordinates). Those who want to access a cleaner version, please contact me privately

Water Body/Rivers

  1. http://extract.bbbike.org/ (Downloading freely available Open Street Map Data of all vector features including rivers and water bodies - not complete)
  2. http://openstreetmapdata.com/data/water-polygons (Water Polygons for coastlines, sea and oceans)
  3. http://gcmd.nasa.gov/records/GCMD_GLWD.html (Lake and Wetlands)
  4. http://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/global-lakes-and-wetlands-database (For non-commercial purposes, water bodies)

Vegetation/National Parks

  1. http://earthenginepartners.appspot.com/science-2013-global-forest/download_v1.2.html (Forest cover, changes)
  2. http://www.protectedplanet.net/country/MY  (National Parks for non-commercial purposes)
  3. http://geonames.nga.mil/gns/html/namefiles.html (Gazetteer for estate, forest reserves and other vegetation features)

Mineral Resources

Human Built Features

  1. http://extract.bbbike.org/ (For roads, railway, points of interests and other human built features
  2. For North-South Highway assets (i.e. SOS telephones, points of interest), please contact me directly for data distribution.
  3. http://geonames.nga.mil/gns/html/namefiles.html (Gazetteer for selected human built features - population areas, transportation features)
If you know any additional sources, please contact me and will update the source. For those who want the data with proper documentation and metadata, contact me via the blog. We can talk more on data distribution

11 comments:

  1. Danesh,

    For population data, this could be a possible useful source -

    http://www.worldpop.org.uk/data/summary/?contselect=Asia&countselect=Malaysia&typeselect=Population

    Jason

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Danesh,
    Do you mind sharing Sarawak districts shapefile?

    Thanks and regards,
    Hafrina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Haf, unfortunately, the file I have Sarawak has significant amount of errors. Sorry for late reply

      Delete
  3. Hi Danesh,

    I want to inquire if you do mind sharing the shapefile of mukims in malaysia.

    From,
    Daniel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daniel,

      I can't give the shapefile for free. Quotation can be provided

      Thanks

      Danesh

      Delete
    2. Sure can you email me at danielnswm@gmail.com for the quotation.

      From,
      Daniel

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Danesh,

    Do you mind sharing the latest vegetation index map for Selangor?

    Regards,
    Imelda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Imelda,

    Before we proceed, may I know what you intend to do with the map of Selangor with that theme?

    Thanks

    Danesh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Danesh,

      Thank you for the prompt reply. I would like to use the map to study the relationship between the vegetation area and the number of Covid-19 cases in Selangor.

      Regards,
      Imelda

      Delete
  7. Dear Imelda.

    Ok understood. Is your study meant for academic needs? We can speak via my email at daneshchacko@gmail.com

    Thanks

    Danesh

    ReplyDelete