Global Map

Global Map is a set of digital maps that accurately cover the whole globe to express the status of global environment. It is developed through the cooperation of National Geospatial Information Authorities (NGIAs) in the world. An initiative to develop Global Map under international cooperation, the Global Mapping Project, was advocated in 1992 by Ministry of Construction, Japan (MOC) at the time (the current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan-MLIT).

Global Map is digital geospatial information in 1 km resolution which satisfies the following conditions:

1. Covering the whole land area of the globe
2. In consistent specifications
3. Easily accessible by anyone in marginal cost

The global geospatial information developed as Global Map mainly consists of the following thematic layers:

• Transportation
• Boundary
• Drainage
• Population Centers
• Elevation
• Vegetation （Percent Tree Cover）
• Land Cover
• Land Use