AI-generated Key Takeaways
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The FAO GAUL 500m Simplified dataset provides global administrative unit layers for all countries, simplified at 500m resolution.
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This dataset standardizes spatial data for administrative units and includes information down to second-level administrative boundaries globally, with lower levels available for some countries.
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The methodology involves collecting data from reliable sources, validating features, adding data to a global layer based on the UN Cartographic Unit's map, generating codes, and distributing the data.
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The dataset schema includes attributes like GAUL country code, UN country name, status, shape area and length, and creation/expiry years for administrative units.
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Use of the GAUL dataset is licensed for non-commercial purposes to authorized institutions and agencies, with a full data license and disclaimer available.
- Dataset Availability
- 2014-12-19T16:45:00Z–2014-12-19T16:45:00Z
- Dataset Provider
- FAO UN
- Tags
Description
This version of GAUL dataset is simplified at 500m.
The Global Administrative Unit Layers (GAUL) compiles and disseminates the best available information on administrative units for all the countries in the world, providing a contribution to the standardization of the spatial dataset representing administrative units. The GAUL always maintains global layers with a unified coding system at country, first (e.g. departments), and second administrative levels (e.g. districts). Where data is available, it provides layers on a country by country basis down to third, fourth, and lowers levels. The overall methodology consists in a) collecting the best available data from most reliable sources, b) establishing validation periods of the geographic features (when possible), c) adding selected data to the global layer based on the last country boundaries map provided by the UN Cartographic Unit (UNCS), d) generating codes using GAUL Coding System, and e) distribute data to the users (see Technical Aspects of the GAUL Distribution Set). Note that some administrative units are multipolygon features.
Table Schema
Table Schema
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ADM0_CODE | INT | GAUL country code |
| ADM0_NAME | STRING | UN country name |
| DISP_AREA | STRING | Unsettled territory: 'Yes' or 'No' |
| STATUS | STRING | Status of the country |
| Shape_Area | DOUBLE | Shape area |
| Shape_Leng | DOUBLE | Shape length |
| EXP0_YEAR | INT | Expiry year of the administrative unit |
| STR0_YEAR | INT | Creation year of the administrative unit |
Terms of Use
Terms of Use
The GAUL dataset is distributed to the United Nations and other authorized international and national institutions/agencies. FAO grants a license to use, download and print the materials contained in the GAUL dataset solely for non-commercial purposes and in accordance with the conditions specified in the data license. The full GAUL Data License document is available for downloading. See also the disclaimer.
Explore with Earth Engine
Code Editor (JavaScript)
var dataset = ee.FeatureCollection('FAO/GAUL_SIMPLIFIED_500m/2015/level0'); Map.setCenter(7.82, 49.1, 4); var styleParams = { fillColor: 'b5ffb4', color: '00909F', width: 1.0, }; dataset = dataset.style(styleParams); Map.addLayer(dataset, {}, 'Country Boundaries');