Move to enable greater harmony between pan-European datasets from official sources
EuroGeographics has announced that Germany’s Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) is to manage production for two of its pan-European products.
The production management agreement means that BKG will now coordinate the development and delivery of EuroRegionalMap, a 1:250 000 dataset, as well as EuroBoundaryMap, which enables the exact matching of administrative units with statistical data using a European-wide unique identifier. The National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN France) continues to support the production of EuroGlobalMap open data.
EuroGeographics’ portfolio of pan-European datasets, including a digital elevation model EuroDEM, is created by harmonising authoritative geographic information from its members, the National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities of Europe.
“We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with BKG and I should also like to thank NGI, Belgium, for providing significant support over many years in the production management of EuroRegionalMap,” said EuroGeographics’ Secretary General and Executive Director, Mick Cory. “Harmonised pan-European maps and geographic information are of fundamental importance to society – they inform policy, enable decision-making and help visualise a range of otherwise complex data.”
“EuroGeographics continues to maintain and develop its portfolio of pan-European datasets created by harmonising our members’ national data. Feedback from users indicates that they greatly value this high quality, reliable information from trusted sources. Bringing both these datasets together under a single agreement will simplify workflows and enable greater harmony between the two products.”
Head of BKG, Prof Dr Hansjörg Kutterer added: “We’re very excited to be coordinating the production management of these two datasets which provide accurate authoritative information for decision makers across a wide range of sectors. Our aim is to extend coverage and create a common geometry for international boundaries, national boundaries and coastlines to ensure they continue to meet user needs.”
The latest version of EuroBoundaryMap, released in spring 2016, includes country datasets for Albania and part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has been enhanced through the integration of INSPIRE identifiers. The latest version of EuroRegionalMap includes updates to the administrative and hydrology themes.
EuroGeographics
EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration: 833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Land Registry and Cadastral Authorities. It currently brings together 61 members from 46 countries.
To find out more about EuroGeographics, please visit www.eurogeographics.org.