Each data set includes a metadata document providing complete documentation, as well as an ArcGIS layer file (.lyr) displaying symbols and classifications for the data set when viewed in ArcGIS. Each SDC file also includes a projection file (.prj) storing the coordinate system information that is used by ArcGIS. Map document (.mxd) files are included for all geographic areas to provide symbolized maps of the data sets.
Data & Maps 2004 is organized onto two DVD-ROMs and two CD-ROMs. The Data & Maps and StreetMap USA DVD contains the StreetMap USA dataset, as well as all of the Data & Maps vector data. The Data & Maps vector data is also available on the two CDs, one for the United States and the other for the World, Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The Image Data DVD contains all of the raster data, which includes various images of the World and North America. In addition, each DVD and CD contains the Data & Maps HTML-based Help system.
The data are useful for general-purpose basemaps and for more specific uses. The data can make a new user productive and the software useful as soon as it is installed. For each geography included, the significant basemap layers are boundaries, cities, rivers, and roads. This generalized basemap information is available for the World, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Europe. In addition, where possible, demographic data is provided for subnational boundaries such as states, counties, or their equivalents.
Metadata
Each dataset is fully documented with metadata. The metadata furnishes extensive general and technical characteristics of the dataset. The metadata provides unique identification, description, content, purpose, status, accessibility, creator, publisher, data quality, condition, spatial data organization, spatial reference, entity and attribute descriptions, distribution, and metadata reference information. The metadata also displays a "thumbnail", which is a small, graphic image of the dataset. The metadata uses the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata from the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). The metadata is a file provided for each data set in Extensible Markup Language (XML) and HyperText Markup Language (HTML) formats. The Data & Maps 2004 metadata in XML can be viewed in ArcGIS and can also be used with the ArcIMS Metadata Server. The metadata in HTML can be viewed in any HTML browser.