Map Sources

The Atlas maps are composed of several layers of which there are two broad categories: thematic and base layers. Find below a description of each of the map layers. The layer source is included in the metadata.

Thematic Map Layers

Drainage Basins

River flow (discharge) was the critical factor used to delineate basin boundaries. All rivers with an annual mean flow higher than 10 000 cubic feet per second were depicted. However, land areas containing river basins that did not meet this annual mean flow threshold were assigned to the generic category "seaboard". The major river basins are the rivers that directly flow into the ocean. Within each major river basin, up to three levels of component basins were identified. In addition, water diversions larger than 1000 cubic feet per second were mapped. Natural Resources Canada. 1985. Canada--Drainage Basins [map]. National Atlas of Canada, 5th Edition.

Base Map Layers

Atlas of Canada Framework Layers

Base map components are features that provide a geographic context for the thematic data shown on Atlas of Canada maps. These features include rivers, lakes, administrative boundaries, populated places, roads and rail lines. All of the Atlas of Canada base map components are available for immediate free download in five scales and in a number of data exchange formats. The 1:7 500 000 and the 1:1 000 000 scale data are the primary base frameworks used for all Atlas of Canada 6th Edition online maps. You can download Atlas of Canada data from this Web page on GeoGratis.

References

Nunavut Implementation Commission. 1995. Footprints in New Snow: A comprehensive Report from the Nunavut Implementation Commission to the Department of Indian and Northern Development, Government of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Concerning the Establishment of the Nunavut Government. Iqaluit, Northwest Territories. 263 pp.

Web Sites