Download Gadm Data Version 36 Work Work | Editor's Choice |
Version 3.6 introduced GeoPackage as the standard format, though Shapefiles and RDS remain available. To help you get the right files, Download GADM data
This comprehensive guide details step-by-step download procedures, data organization formats, and programmatic methods to make GADM version 3.6 work seamlessly within your GIS software or scripting pipeline. Why Version 3.6 Matters in GIS Workflows
While the GADM website often redirects to the latest version, specific versions like 3.6 are archived for reproducibility purposes. download gadm data version 36 work
I knew exactly where to go: . It is the gold standard for high-resolution spatial data. However, I specifically needed version 3.6. It’s a stable legacy version that works perfectly with my existing scripting tools, and I wanted to avoid the schema changes found in the newer version 4.
GADM data is available as a single global dataset or on a per-country basis. Downloading by country is highly recommended to avoid massive file sizes and long download times. Download GADM data Version 3
After download, check inside the file (e.g., in R):
| Level | Label | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Country (National) | The highest level, representing national boundaries | | Level 1 | State/Province | Typically represents the first major administrative division (e.g., states, provinces) | | Level 2 | County/District | A finer level of division (e.g., counties, districts) | | Level 3 | Commune/Municipality | A highly detailed level (e.g., communes, municipalities) | | Level 4 | Sub-Municipality | Available for 20 countries, providing the finest level of detail | | Level 5 | Fine Detail | Available for France and Rwanda only | I knew exactly where to go:
Downloading legacy data like GADM v3.6 isn't about clicking the biggest, brightest button on a website. It requires:
Users should be aware that GADM data represents administrative boundaries as they were captured from various sources. It may not reflect the most current political changes or official governmental claims. In particular, the Chinese documentation for GADM warns that the country’s national boundaries provided by GADM do not align with the official claims of the People‘s Republic of China, and caution should be used when publishing maps that include these areas. Always cross-reference GADM data with official sources for any publication requiring legal or diplomatic precision.
GADM (2020). Database of Global Administrative Areas, version 3.6. Available at: https://gadm.org