About DataMapWales
DataMapWales provides geographic information and associated services.
Geographic information includes everything that can be shown on a map, for example:
- Doctor’s surgeries
- Flood zones
- Noise pollution
- Areas of deprivation
Like most Geographic Information Systems, DataMapWales allows you to search for the information you might be interested in, for a dataset to be displayed on top of a base-map, and the features of interest to be examined, measured and analysed.
Sometimes, data around a topic of interest may be collected together (we call this a map) and then presented with some extra tools and information to support a specific business purpose (we call this an app). For professional data users, the platform also provides direct access to data (through an API) that can be used by software developers or compatible software packages.
We provide DataMapWales in combination with other public sector partners. It presents geographic information and tools with a focus on Wales.
The data catalogue
You can find data of interest by browsing and searching the catalogue (which we often refer to as metadata). The search page displays the datasets, maps and apps available to you. You have options to search/filter the catalogue to find what you are looking for.
You can view data on a map, download for analysis or link to the OWS API endpoints in a GIS application. For those who wish to access the metadata catalogue API, a Catalogue Services endpoint is available here.
Read more about Catalogue Services
The map viewer
The map viewer allows you to combine data from the catalogue to analyse on the same map. You can also find maps in the catalogue which contain a pre-existing set of related data.
Licencing, copyright and data restrictions
As far as possible, we provide data with as little restriction as possible and the Open Government Licence is used to facilitate this. Crown Copyright is used where historical/commercial interests continue to exist. Data may also be licenced due to other sensitivities.
Licencing information and restrictions are included within the metadata. Where restrictions do exist, viewing the data, re-using the data will be consistent with the licencing. If you have access to restricted licenced data then this is controlled by signing in.
Sharing data and DataMapWales accounts
Anyone can visit DataMapWales to browse or view the public catalogue.
We have invited partner organisations to register accounts on the site. Account holders can sign in to the site and:
- upload data
- create, edit and save maps
- share maps and data publicly or securely with other account holders
- view data and maps shared with them by other account holders
Not all data are publically available and some functions may be restricted. Users may also be issued a login to access and re-use restricted data.
Get in touch if you would like to know more about contributing to DataMapWales and sharing data.
Using OGC Web Service (OWS) endpoints
OWS (OGC Web Service) is a generic term for a web service standardised by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). These standards include the Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS).
When browsing the catalogue, opening a data page will provide an OWS link. You can use this link in a Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS software such as QGIS and ArcGIS can connect to the OWS service and pull in spatial data to edit and analyse.
Specific instructions on using use OWS links should be present within your GIS application.