Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines

Proper documentation is often overlooked when developing new databases to be used for geographic information system processing. When essential information about data is missing, its value is severely reduced. Where did the data come from? When was it collected? How accurate is it, and how can it appropriately be used? Without clear and complete documentation, there are no easy answers to these fundamental questions.

A common approach to documentation builds bridges among data users. Agreement on how data is described cultivates a common vocabulary and improved understanding. An investment in thorough data documentation pays for itself through increased data longevity, a greater ability to share data, decreased user support requirements and, in extreme cases, the avoidance of litigation related to data misuse or copyright violations.

The Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines provide that common approach for documenting all types of geographic data. They have been designed to be straightforward, intuitive and complete. This document describes those guidelines that are based on a standard developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee in 1993: The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. In developing the Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines, the Standards Committee of the former Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information sought to create a streamlined implementation of the federal standard, while retaining the essence of its original content.

Download the Guidelines in PDF format (v. 1.2, adopted 10/7/98, 16p, 471K, PDF)
Find additional help at Metadata Resources
The Guidelines are an official state guideline, adopted by the State of Minnesota's MNIT Services.

Metadata Guidelines

The guidelines consist of seven sections:

  • Section 1: Identification

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    1.1-8.1  Originator  text free text  The name of the organization or individual that developed the data set. 
    1.1-8.4  Title  text free text  The name by which the data set is known. 
    No FGDC Equivalent  Minnesota Clearinghouse ID  text free text  NOTE: Not implemented at this time. A unique identifying code for the data set for use in the Minnesota clearinghouse 
    1.2.1  Abstract  text free text  A summary of what is in the data set. 
    1.2.2  Purpose  text free text  Why the data set was developed. 
    1.3 - 9.1.1  Time Period of Content Date  date free date A single date for which the data set corresponds to the ground or for which the user can be confident of accuracy and completeness. (If multiple dates or a range of dates apply to the data set, use "Currentness Reference" to list them and to explain further.) 
    1.3.1  Currentness Reference  text free text  The basis on which the Time Period of Content Date is determined. List what the date is referring to (e.g. ground condition, date of quad map that was digitized, etc.) If multiple dates or a range of dates apply, list and explain. 
    1.4.1  Progress  text "complete" 
    "in work" 
    "planned"
    		Development status as reflected in domain choices. 
    1.4.2  Maintenance and Update Frequency  text "continually" "daily" "weekly" "monthly" "annually" 
    "unknown" 
    "as needed" " irregular" 
    "none planned" 
    free text     		 The frequency with which changes and additions are made to the data set after the initial data set is completed.
    Part of 1.2.3  Spatial Extent of Data  text free text Describe the geographic area covered by the data set. 
    1.5.1.1  West Bounding Coordinate  real -180.0 ≤
    West Bounding Coordinate
    ≤ 180.0    		 Western-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude, in decimal degree units. 
    1.5.1.2  East Bounding Coordinate  real -180.0 ≤ 
    East Bounding Coordinate 
    ≤ 180.0    		 Eastern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude, in decimal degree units. 
    1.5.1.3  North Bounding Coordinate  real -90.0 ≤ 
    North Bounding Coordinate 
    ≤ 90.0    		 Northern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude, in decimal degree units. 
    1.5.1.3  South Bounding Coordinate  real -90.0 ≤ 
    South Bounding Coordinate 
    ≤ 90.0    		 Southern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude, in decimal degree units. 
    1.6.2  Place Keywords  text free text Words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the place of the data set. 
    1.6.1  Theme Keywords text free text Words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the theme of the data set. 
    1.6.1.1  Theme Keyword Thesaurus  text free text Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme keywords. 
    1.7  Access Constraints  text "none"

    free text

    		 Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the data set. These include any access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any special restriction or limitation on obtaining the data set. 
    1.8  Use Constraints  text free text Restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the data set after access is granted (ex. transferring to others). 
    1.9-10.1.1  Contact Person  text free text A person within the development or managing group who can receive inquiries regarding the content or development of the data set. This may not be the same as the distributor. 
    1.9-10.1.2  Contact Organization  text free text The name of the organization that can receive inquiries regarding the content or development of the data set.
    1.9-10.3  Contact Person Position  text free text The position of the Point of Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.4.2  Contact Address  text free text The mailing address of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.4.3  Contact City  text free text The city of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.4.4  Contact State or Province  text free text The state or province of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.4.5  Contact Postal Code  text free text The ZIP or other postal code of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.5 Contact Voice Phone  text free text The voice telephone number, including area code, of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.7  Contact Fax Phone  text free text The facsimile telephone number, including area code, of the Contact Person. 
    1.9-10.8  Contact E-mail Address  text free text The Internet mail address of the Contact Person. 
    1.10.1 Browse Graphic File Name  text "none available"

    free text

    		 A "Browse Graphic" is any type of graphic file that provides an illustration of the data set. If a browse graphic is available on the internet, provide the file name Uniform Resource Locator (URL), including the "http://".
    1.10.2  Browse Graphic File Description text "none available"

    free text

    		 A text description of the illustration. 
    1.14 - 8.4  Associated Data Sets  text free text Information about other, related data sets that are likely to be of interest (e.g. derived from common sources, similar theme, etc.) 
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  • Section 2: Data Quality

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    2.1.1  Attribute Accuracy  text  free text  An explanation of how accurately the entities have been identified or how accurately values have been assigned in the data set. This can be the results of quantitative analysis, steps taken to ensure accuracy during development, or known deficiencies. 
    2.2  Logical Consistency  text  free text  An indication of topological problems such as overshoots, undershoots, unwanted intersections, unclosed polygons, missing or duplicate labels, etc. 
    2.3 Completeness  text  free text Information about omissions, selection criteria, generalization, definitions used, and other rules used to derive the data set that may affect the completeness of content of the data. 
    2.4.1.1  Horizontal Positional Accuracy  text  free text An explanation of the accuracy of the horizontal positions (coordinates) of spatial objects and a description of the tests or line of reasoning used to arrive at the estimate. 
    2.4.2.1  Vertical Positional Accuracy  text  free text An explanation of the accuracy of the vertical positions (coordinates) of spatial objects and a description of the tests or line of reasoning used to arrive at the estimate. 
    2.5 (FGDC compound)  Lineage  text  free text Information about the sources of data used to construct the data set and steps used to process the data. For each processing step provide, where possible, the following: source data name, source data scale, source data date, description of processing steps performed, scanning or digitizing specifications, hardware & software used, processing tolerances, etc. 
    2.5.1.2  Source Scale Denominator  integer The denominator of the representative fraction of source map(s). Please leave out commas (e.g. 24000 not 24,000). Example: on a 1:24000 scale map, the Source Scale Denominator is 24000; on a “100 scale” map (1 inch = 100 feet) the Source Scale Denominator is 1200. If no source maps were used, enter zero (e.g. GPS data). If multiple source map scales were used, enter the Source Scale Denominator of the smallest scale map (largest denominator). 
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  • Section 3: Spatial Data Organization

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    1.13  Native Data Set Environment text free text  A description of the data set in the producer's processing environment including the software name and version number. The user may also enter the computer operating system, file name and data set size if desired. (Note: Transfer formats will be listed in Section 6.) 
    3.1  Geographic Reference for Tabular Data  text  free text  Description of the types of geographic features, addressing schemes, geocodes or other means through which locations are referenced in the data set. 
    3.2  Spatial Object Type text  "point"
    "vector"
    "raster"    		 The system of objects used to represent space in the data set. 
    (Replacement of FGDC 3.3)  Vendor Specific Object Types  text  "arc" "area" "cell" "column" "network" "node" "label" "line" "point" "polygon" "region" "row" "route-section" "TIN" free text  The spatial objects used in terms used by the software. Counts of these objects may also be entered (e.g. columns = 100, rows = 200, lines = 300, points = 400, etc.) Additional values may be used if the domain choices are not complete for a data set. 
    No FGDC Equivalent  Tiling Scheme  text  free text Description of the physical partitioning of the data set (e.g. counties, USGS 7.5 minute quad sheets, etc.). 
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  • Section 4: Spatial Reference

    General Spatial Reference Guidelines

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    Modification of 4.1.2.2.1  Horizontal Coordinate Scheme  text "geographic (Lat. Long.)"
    "UTM"
    "State Plane"
    "County Coordinates"
    "User Specified Projection"
    "Other"     		 The scheme used to define horizontal coordinates as depicted by the domain choices. 
    4.1.4.2  Ellipsoid text "Clarke 1866"
    "GRS80"
    free text    		 Identification given to establish representation of the Earth's shape. 
    4.1.4.1 Horizontal Datum  text "NAD27"
    "NAD83"
    "NAD83 (96)"    		 The datum used in the horizontal coordinate system. "NAD83 (96)" represents the 1996 adjustment based on the High Accuracy Reference Network (HARN). 
    4.1.2.4.4 (partially)  Horizontal Units  text "meters" "feet"
    "decimal degrees"
    free text    		 The horizontal distance units. User may specify additional units not listed in domain. NOTE: "feet" is assumed to be U.S. survey feet. 
    4.1.2.4.3.1 Distance Resolution  text free text The minimum distance measurable between two points, expressed in distance units of measure (e.g. the minimum allowable distance between two verticies).
    4.2.1.1  Altitude Datum  text "NGVD29" "NAVD88"
    "not application"
    free text    		 The level surface of reference from which altitudes are measured, if applicable. NGVD29 = National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929; NAVD88 = North American Vertical Datum of 1988. 
    4.2.1.3  Altitude Units  text "meters" "feet"
    free text    		 Units in which altitudes are measured. 
    4.2.2.1  Depth Datum  text "local surface"
    "mean low water"
    "mean high water"
    "mean sea level"
    "land survey datum"
    "not applicable"
    free text    		 The surface of reference from which depths are measured, if applicable. 
    4.2.2.3  Depth Units  text "meters" "feet"
    free text    		 Units in which depths are measured. 
    4.1.2.4.2.1 (Raster Data Only) Cell Width real > 0.0 The column width of a raster cell expressed in distance units of measure. 
    4.1.2.4.2.2 (Raster Data Only) Cell Height real >0.0 The row height of a raster cell expressed in distance units of measure. 

    If: Geographic

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    4.1.1.1  Latitude Resolution  real > 0.0 The minimum difference between two adjacent latitude values expressed in Geographic Coordinates Units of measure. 
    4.1.1.2  Longitude Resolution  real > 0.0 The minimum difference between two adjacent longitude values expressed in Geographic Coordinates Units of measure.

    If: UTM

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Name Domain Description
    4.1.2.2.2.1 UTM Zone Number text 14, 15, 15E, 16, free text Identifier for the UTM zone number(s) used. "15E" represents zone 15 extended to cover the entire state of Minnesota.
    No FGDC Equivalent  Coordinate Offsets or Adjustments  text free text  An explanation of the magnitude, direction, etc. of any coordinate shifts or adjustments. For example "subtracted 4,700,000 from the Y coordinate." 

    If: State Plane

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Name Domain Description
    4.1.2.2.4.1  SPCS Zone Identifier integer 2201,
    2202,
    2203    		 The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) four-digit numeric code for the State Plane Coordinate Systems. In Minnesota, North = 2201, Central = 2202, and South = 2203. 
    No FGDC Equivalent  Coordinate Offsets or Adjustments  text free text An explanation of the magnitude, direction, etc. of any coordinate shifts or adjustments. 

    If: County Coordinates

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Name Domain Description
    No FGDC Equivalent County Coordinate Zone Identifier integer 1-67 The county coordinate zone identifier number from The Minnesota County Coordinate System, A User's Handbook by Ken Whitehorn, Itasca Co. Surveyor,  published by Precision Measuring Systems, 1998. 
    Note: Some coordinate zones include multiple counties and some large counties have multiple coordinate zones. 
    Note: These coordinate IDs are not the same as county IDs. 
    Note: A list of the codes is available in the DataLogr help menus.
    No FGDC Equivalent Coordinate Offsets or Adjustments text free text An explanation of the magnitude, direction, etc. of any coordinate shifts or adjustments. 

    If: User Specified Projection

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Name Domain Description
    4.1.2.1.1  Map Projection Name text free text Name of the map projection. 
    4.1.2.1.2 (FGDC compound)  Map Projection Parameters text free text List the actual projection parameters reflected in the coordinate system used. (See FGDC standards for specific information.) 

    If: Other

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Name Domain Description
    4.1.2.1.3  Other Coordinate System's Definition  text free text Explain the reference frame or system from which linear or angular quantities are measured and assigned to the position that a point occupies. 
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  • Section 5: Entities and Attributes

    FGCD Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    5.2.1 Entity and Attribute Overview text free text A summary of the information contained within the data set.
    5.2.2 Entity and Attribute Detailed Citation text free text A reference to one or more detailed sources of information on the content of the data set; for example, a digital or hardcopy data dictionary. (See FGDC Standard for data dictionary format information.) The user may attach or link to a detailed data dictionary.
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  • Section 6: Distribution

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    1.1-8.8.2  Publisher text free text  The name of the organization or individual that made the data set publicly available. This will often be the same as the Originator (1.1 - 8.1) . 
    1.1-8.2  Publication Date  date free text  The date when the data set is published or otherwise made publicly available. 
    6.1-10.1.1  Distributor Contact Person  text free text  A person who can receive inquiries regarding the distribution of the data set. 
    6.1-10.1.2  Distributor Organization  text free text  The name of the organization that can receive inquiries regarding the distribution of the data set. 
    6.1-10.3  Distributor Position  text free text  The position of the Distributor Contact Person 
    6.1-10.4.2  Distributor Address  text free text  The mailing address of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.4.3  Distributor City  text free text  The city of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.4.4  Distributor State or Province  text free text  The state or province of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.4.5  Distributor Postal Code  text free text  The ZIP or other postal code of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.5  Distributor Voice Phone  text free text  The voice phone number, including area code, of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.7  Distributor Fax Phone  text free text  The facsimile telephone number, including area code, of the Distributor. 
    6.1-10.8 Distributor E-mail Address  text free text  The Internet mail address of the Distributor. 
    6.2 Distributor's Data Set Identifier  text free text  The identifier by which the distributor knows the data set. 
    6.3  Distribution Liability  text free text  Statement of the liability assumed by the distributor. 
    6.4.2.1.1  Transfer Format Name  text "Arc/INFO" 
    "Arc Export" 
    "Arc Generate" 

    "Arc Grid" 

    "Arc TIN" "ASCII" 

    "Atlas GIS" "DLG" "DXF" "EPPL7" 

    "GRASS" "IDGS" "INFO" "Intergraph" 

    "MOSS" "SDTS" "SPANS" "TIGER" 

    "Ultimap" 

    image (specific format) 

    free text

    		The name of the format(s) in which the distributor will make the data available. The user may list as many formats as desired and may use additional formats not listed in the domain. 
    6.4.2.1.2  Transfer Format Version Number  text free text  Vendor version number of the data format within which the data may be transferred. 
    6.4.2.1.7  Transfer Size  text free text  An estimate of the size of a transfer file in megabytes. 
    6.4.4 & 6.5  Ordering Instructions  text free text  Instructions for obtaining the data set. Include instructions for obtaining custom orders. If applicable, also include instructions for acquiring data through the "Online Linkage" element below. 
    1.1-8.10  Online Linkage  text free text  The name of an Internet site or other online resource that contains the data set. Entries should follow the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) convention of the Internet. Include "http://" or "ftp://" , etc. in URLs. 
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  • Section 7: Metadata Reference

    FGDC Identifier Minnesota State Element Name Field Type Domain Description
    7.1  Metadata Date  date free date  The date that the metadata were created or last updated. 
    7.4-10.1.1  Metadata Contact Person  text "same as Contact person"
    free date    		 The name of the person responsible for the metadata information 
    7.4-10.1.2  Metadata Contact Organization  text free date  The name of the organization responsible for the metadata information. 
    7.4-10.3  Metadata Contact Position  text free date The position of the Metadata Contact Person 
    7.4-10.4.2 Metadata Contact Address text free date The mailing address of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.4.3  Metadata Contact City  text free date The city of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.4.4  Metadata Contact State or Province  text free date The state or province of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.4.5  Metadata Contact Postal Code  text free date The ZIP or other postal code of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.5  Metadata Contact Voice Phone text free date The voice phone number, including area code, of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.7  Metadata Contact Fax Phone  text free date The facsimile telephone number, including area code, of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.4-10.8  Metadata Contact E-mail Address  text free date The Internet mail address of the Metadata Contact. 
    7.5  Metadata Standard Name text "Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines" The name of the metadata standard or guidelines used to document the data set. 
    7.6  Metadata Standard Version  text "1.2"
    free date    		 Identification of the version of the metadata standard or guidelines used to document the data set. 
    Modification of 7.11.1  Metadata Standard Online Linkage  text "https://mn.gov/mngeo/gis-data-and-maps/standards/"
    free text    		 The name of an Internet site or other online resource that contains a description of the metadata standard or guidelines. Entries should follow the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) convention of the Internet. Include "http://" in URLs. 
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