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The spatial context of information is critical for data, because where something happens is as important as what happens.
These are the most-requested maps made by the Office of Statistics and Information.
See the Quick User Guide to help you get started using this interactive tool.
See the GIS map viewer user guide to help you use this Census webmap.
OSI makes these maps:
For its work, the OSI uses a number of administrative and census geographic boundaries, as well as socio-economic data. The information is licensed under the Open Government License – Alberta.
The datasets are available as zipped shapefile packages (SHP) or as geodatabases (.gdb). The shapefile format is a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information system (GIS) software. Metadata for the shapefiles are provided in HTML and XML format. Geodatabases are collections of files in a folder on disk that can store, query, and manage both spatial and nonspatial data. Metadata for the geodatabase are contained within the Geodatabase.
This dataset contains 16 layers related to social vulnerability. The topics covered include:
The data is mapped by Census Subdivisions for Alberta and is derived from Statistics Canada 2016 Census data. The layers are stored in a File Geodatabase that was created using ESRI ArcGIS 10.3.1. A project file (.mxd) and metadata are contained within the geodatabase.
A Census Division is a group of neighbouring municipalities joined together for the purposes of regional planning and managing common services like police or ambulance services.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format:
A Census Subdivision is the general term for municipalities, as determined by provincial or territorial legislation, or areas treated as municipal equivalents for statistical purposes.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format:
These boundaries are formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centred on a population centre, known as the core. A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more must live in the core. A CA must have a core population of at least 10,000.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format::
A Census Tract is a small, relatively stable geographic area that usually has a population of less than 10,000 persons. They are located in census metropolitan areas and in census agglomerations that had a core population of 50,000 or more in the previous census.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format:
A Dissemination Area is the smallest standard geographic unit composed of one or more adjacent dissemination blocks with an average population of 400–700 persons.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format:
An Economic Region is a grouping of complete census divisions (CDs) created as a standard geographic unit for analysis of regional economic activity.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP), and metadata in HTML and XML format:
Provincial Electoral Divisions are comprised of all the areas in Alberta established as electoral divisions under the Alberta Electoral Divisions Act, and reflects the legally valid boundaries for provincial general elections and for provincial by-elections.
These pages link to zipped shapefile packages (SHP):
Spatial analysis is the backbone of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) technologies, which lies at the core of all work done within the sphere of geospatial statistics within the Government of Alberta. To learn more about spatial analysis within this socio-economic environment, please check out this ArcGIS Online Story Map.
OSI mapping standards follow the National Topographic System (NTS) Polychrome Map Standards and Specifications; are proprietary, if applicable; and follow conventional and sound cartographic principles.
All metadata is kept and recorded for every spatial dataset used by the OSI and complies with Alberta’s Geospatial metadata standard of the ISO 19115 North American Profile.
Every spatial deliverable in the OSI undergoes rigorous review to ensure accuracy and consistency.
See our list of OSI geographic acronyms.
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Ting Wei, Geospatial Data Analyst, Geospatial Statistics
Office of Statistics and Information
Phone: 780-643-0616
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-2071
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-426-3951
Email: [email protected]
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