Before I posted the http://www.maplibrary.org/ link I checked it. It do not run very well, but acceptable. Today (Egypt time) it does not work. Sorry for that. It is/was a really good source.

Cheers

Askan.

Yes, getting good data outside the US and Canada can be problematical. I’ve posted some sources of international GIS data, which looking through the posts under the “data” label will reveal. Many of these are pretty random in nature – some will have exactly what you need, while others won’t. And even if the portal has the data, finding it can be a real challenge.

I’m planning a series of posts in the future on “making your own topo maps” that will cover some sources of international info, but I suspect you’re already familiar with most of them.

The “maplibrary.org” link you posted doesn’t seem to be working for me.

Well my comment above is still valid, but I found something nice concerning African free GIS data:
http://www.maplibrary.org/stacks/Africa_lite.asp

Cheers

Askan.

A common problem for creating maps (thematic maps) on “free” of charge basis is to get the data to plot. There are some sites which offer free data, but sometimes you even have to pay for this data.

In the US you seem to have tons of good public data from various agencies including demographic data.

Outside the US, especially in developing countries e.g. in Africa it is much harder to get free data and detailed base maps e.g. administrative boundaries to third level. There is no real portal or what so ever I have found very useful and searches are sometime very cumbersome.

What is the purpose of this comment? Well a desperate search for decent “free” data aggregators for developing countries.

But maybe I have overseen some of your great tips.

Cheers

Askan.