GeoBase Web Mapping Service (WMS)

GeoBase Portal offers an access to its data layers through a Web Mapping Service (WMS) in accordance with the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) specifications. (http://www.opengeospatial.org/).

Notice

GeoBase assumes that users know what a WMS is and how to operate it, and that they are aware of the capacities and limits of the technology behind this type of service. The information presented is not intended to increase awareness of or describe Web Map Services. GeoBase does not provide support for users who want to learn about this technology. Users can find several information and training sources on this subject on the Internet, such as the OGC site and the online training site for the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) on the GeoConnections website.

You will need a Geographic Information System (GIS) or a Web application compatible with OGC standards to use this map service. Several resources can be found by searching the Web using a search engine (e.g., Quantum GIS, Gaia (The Carbon Project), OGC-compatible visualization software by Intergraph and the UDig application by Refractions.

In your GIS or Web application, it is necessary to seek a function or a command allowing the addition of a map service and where you will normally have to copy the URL of our service.

By using this service, developers will have access to our most current GeoBase data for rendering customized maps. Our OGC-compliant WMS technology is provided free of charge and is subject to conditions describe in GEOBASE UNRESTRICTED USE LICENCE AGREEMENT.

Available GeoBase Layers

The current WMS offers to users an access to the 11 following GeoBase data layers:

  1. A complete coverage of Canada for the Canadian Digital Elevation Data (CDED) at the 1:250,000 scale. This layer is stored in the data warehouse ELEVATION/ELEVATION.
  2. A partial coverage of Canada for the Canadian Digital Elevation Data (CDED) at the 1:50,000 scale. This layer is stored in the data warehouse ELEVATION/ELEVATION.
  3. A complete coverage of Canada for the 5 layers of the National Road Network. These layers are stored in the data warehouse RRN/NRN.
  4. A complete coverage of Canada produced from Landsat 7 Orthoimages with 30 meter spatial resolution. This layer is stored in the data warehouse .
  5. A complete coverage of Canada for the 3 layers of the Control Points for Landsat 7 Imagery. These layers are stored in the data warehouse POINTS_CONTROLES/CONTROL_POINTS.
  6. A complete coverage of Canada for the Canadian Geopolitical Boundaries. These layers are stored in the data warehouse CCT/CCRS.
  7. A partial coverage of Canada for Geonames of the Canadian Geographical Names Data Base (CGNDB). This layer is stored in the data warehouse NOMS_LIEUX/PLACE_NAMES.
  8. A complete coverage of the Canadian Base Network. This layer is stored in the data warehouse GEODESIE/GEODESY.
  9. A complete coverage of Primary Vertical Bench Marks. This layer is stored in the data warehouse GEODESIE/GEODESY.
  10. A partial coverage of the Federal 2-D Densification Network covering north of the country. This layer is stored in the data warehouse GEODESIE/GEODESY.
  11. A complete coverage of the Federal 3-D Densification Network. This layer is stored in the data warehouse GEODESIE/GEODESY.
  12. Reference base layers such as major inland waters, the canadian landmass and neighbor foreign territories. These layers are stored in the data warehouse REFERENCE/REFERENCE.

Service Capabilities

To obtain general information about this WMS and specific information about the available map layers, users should invoke the "GetCapabilities" request. The response generated by "GetCapabilities" consists of an XML document.

The information contained within the resulting XML document will describe each of the availble layers. Other information, such as supported image formats and projection options, is also provided in the XML document.

How to access GeoBase WMS

In order to get an access to the GeoBase WMS, you must first confirm your intention by clicking the button below. Important technical information will be sent to your e-mail (provided during GeoBase portal registration).

Limitation of image size

The current WMS can render raster images up to 800 x 800 pixels. The image size limitation has been defined in consideration of an acceptable resolution product that would not harm our distributors and users paying rights. Another consideration is the WMS server performance that must ensure an appropriate response time.

I want to access GeoBase WMS