Gigateway provides access to geospatial information in the UK

Gigateway is a free web service aimed at increasing awareness of and access to geospatial information in the UK. Users are invited to search and explore in a number of ways inncluding the data locator, data directory, and a geographic area search. The agency also offers assistance and guidance on the collection of metadata which is complemented by the MetaGenie v2.0 enabling metadata providers to convert their existing NGDF data.

About the gateway:

Gigateway is a web service aimed at increasing awareness of and access to geographic information in the UK. Funded by the Government through the National Interest Mapping Services Agreement (NIMSA), gigateway is a not-for-profit organisation set up specifically to promote metadata best practice and information sharing. Gigateway is managed by the Association for Geographic Information (AGI).

Gigateway would like to encourage as many different organisations to publish their geospatial metadata on the Data Locator as possible.

A quick browse the the data directory and you’ll see how data-rich this service really is. Simply access the data type pull-down menu and you’ll see dozens of common data themes including: land-use, terrain, weather, streams, demographic, and much more. Click on a data provider displayed within each theme and you’ll then have access to detailed information including contacts.