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LandScan Global Population Database

Overview | Data Layers | ArcView Project | NCSU Network Access | CD-ROM Access | Documentation


LandScan population density

Overview

From CIESIN--"LandScan data set is a worldwide population database compiled on a 30" X 30" latitude/longitude grid. Census counts (mainly at sub-national level) were apportioned to each grid cell based on probability coefficients, which are based on proximity to roads, slope, land cover and nighttime light.

Landscan 2000 is the most recent version (as of 2/7/02) and differs from the 1998 version in that: more current census counts were employed; 1:250,000 NIMA VMAP-1 was employed where available for better definition of road networks, populated areas, and waterbodies; NIMA's DTED-1 (3 arc-second) was employed; NGDC nightime light data was available for the entire world; more NIMA Controlled Image Base tiles were available for verification/validation and refining urban built-up areas, and the land cover database was refined substantially using VMAP-1, CIB, and or NIMA's scanned maps, CADRG/ADRG.

The Landscan 1998 is still available, though Because of the above stated refinements cell-by-cell comparisons of Landscan 2000 and 1998 are cautioned against. However, bundled with Landscan 1998 are a number of data layers not available with Landscan 2000.


Data Layers

Landscan 2000

Arc/Info Grids:
  • pop2000 - population
  • country - countries/subcountries
Shapefiles:
  • country - countries
TIFF Images:
  • earth - Earth elevation image for background

Landscan 1998

Arc/Info Grids:
  • landcover - landcover
  • population - population
  • roads - road proximity
  • lights - nightime lights
  • slope - slope
  • countrygrid - countries
Shapefiles:
  • country - countries
  • background - water background
TIFF Images:
  • earth - Earth image for background

ArcView Project

Landscan 2000

A ready-made ArcView project is available on the CD-ROM or on the network. Spatial Analyst is required. For those without access to Spatial Analyst there is a separate ArcView extension on the CD-ROM.

Legend files provided (on CD-ROM and network):

  • popleg.avl - population
  • cntry.avl - countries

hpac2000.avx, an ArcView extension to load HPAC (contaminant) plumes and tally grids is included.

Landscan 1998

A ready-made ArcView project is available on the CD-ROM or on the network. Spatial Analyst is required. For those without access to Spatial Analyst there is a separate ArcView extension on the CD-ROM.

Legend files provided (on CD-ROM and network):

  • popleg.avl - population
  • lights.avl - nighttime lights
  • slope.avl - slope
  • roads.avl - road proximity
  • landcover.avl - landcover
  • cntry.avl - countries

hascal.avx, an ArcView extension to load HPAC (contaminant) plumes and tally grids is included.


NCSU Network Access

The LandScan 1998 and 2000 ArcView projects and data downloadable from: ftp://rpp.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/ornl/landscan/. Non-NCSU affiliates may access the Landscan 2000 data at: http://sedac.ciesin.org/plue/gpw/landscan/


CD-ROM Access

The LandScan 1998 CD-ROM is available in DH Hill Library Reference Area, GIS Cabinet, call number Ref GIS Cabinet G3201 E2 1999 L36. The Landscan 2000 CD-ROM will be available at the same location in the near future.


Documentation

Landscan 2000

The brief ArcView documentation is available online or on the CD-ROM. The cover letter provides additional documentation and details on data improvements. Further documentation may be found at the CIESIN Landscan 2000 site.

Landscan 1998

The brief ArcView documentation is available online or on the CD-ROM. Documentation for the non-ArcView components of the database may be found on the CD-ROM, or see the LandScan Global Population 1998 Database page



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