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LandScan

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Overview

LandScan is a unique data set showing population distribution, developed by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In 2011, East View obtained an exclusive license for all distribution of this database outside of internal government uses. The data set is available through a subscription for each year (representing data collected in the previous year). East View also offers The LandScan Global Archive, a compilation of the historical LandScan data sets.

Provider: 
East View Information Services [1]
Posted: 
May 7, 2012 12:37pm
Updated: 
Apr 1, 2020 12:05am
Source
CRL reviews are based on independent research. Information is researched by CRL staff and other specialists at CRL libraries. See CRL Review for additional source notes.
Details

Collection Content

Subject Areas: 
Social Sciences
Resource Types: 
Big data
Census data
Dataset
Digital images
Geospatial data
Maps
Major Languages: 
English
Direct from Publisher - Denotes data sourced directly from publisher
Content Details: 
Geographic coverageWorldwide
Chronological coverageCurrent (past year) only
Content types Data and maps
Source formats Data, satellite imagery
Total titlesNA
Total pagesNA
Digital collection launch date1998 (release through East View began 2011)
Update frequency Annual
Collection ongoingY
Completion dateNA
Available supplements NA

Specifications

Metadata: 
MARC records availableN
Creator of MARC recordsNA
Structural metadata exposed anywhere?NA
Subject authorities usedNA
Name authorities usedNA
Technical Platform: 
Browser compatibilityALL
Authentication optionsIP
Archiving solution – master filesNA
Archiving solution – derivative filesNA
Availability in web discovery toolsNA
Open URL targetNA
Federated searching, z39.50NA
Local host optionY
Usage statisticsY
Interface Tools: 
Full text displayedNA
Page imagesNA
Color imagesY (100%)
Search full textNA
Advanced searchNA (search by defined geographic regions)
Search within resultsNA
Limit results by dates and/or document typesNA
Display highlighted search termsNA
Display snippet -- search term in contextNA
Relevance sortingNA
Save searchesN
Download PDFN
Download HTMLNA (exporting of data is supported)
Print pageY
Print full documentNA
Export citationsNA
Annotation toolsN
Cross-product searchingNA
ILLNA
Restrictions on useNA

Terms and Provider Details

Terms: 
Options
Subscription optionN
Purchase optionY (purchase offered for an annual release; archive set can be purchased separately))
Multiple year payments optionN
Hosting chargesN
List of purchasers available
Sample license availableY
MARC records purchase feeNA
Price tier basis
Provider: 
East View Information Services [1]
Website: 
http://www.eastview.com/ [2]
Main Address: 
10601 Wayzata Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55305
United States
CRL Review
Collection Content: 

LandScan is a unique data set showing population distribution, developed by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In 2011, East View obtained an exclusive license for all distribution of this database outside of internal government uses. The data set is available through a subscription for each year (representing data collected in the previous year). East View also offers The LandScan Global Archive, a compilation of the historical LandScan data sets.

The data represents ambient population (combined for night and day) at one-kilometer (30" x 30") resolution. Details of age and gender are also provided at certain geographic scales. The data can be limited by state, country, region, or global level. A search can also be customized based on individually defined pixel points. Only the latest data is provided; the producers do not attempt to display comparative data over time.


The information is derived from a combination of census data, algorithmic projections, and satellite imagery. The population calculations come from ORNL’s LandScan USA database (high resolution data derived at 3 arc-second ~90 meters), which is compiled for the Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP). High-resolution image sources include the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Controlled Image Base (CIB). The data is displayed in GIS raster format (ESRI Grid). Files include Raster GIS (ESRI Grid format); HPAC Binary (Hazard Prediction Assessment Capability compressed binary format); ESRI binary raster format.

Data and functional updates for the LandScan 2013 release include:

  • Census data updates from various countries from the 2010-2013 census rounds. Population distribution data are refined over previous years. For temporal consistency, data were normalized to match the July 2013 national population estimates from the CIA World Factbook.
  • ORNL reports that “due to the dramatic effects on population distribution precipitated by the ongoing crisis in Syria . . . the total population for Syria and the neighboring nations were adjusted to account for refugee and internally displaced persons movements as of June 2014.”
  • Improved delineation and characterization of settlements using the high-resolution imagery from ORNL's "Settlement Mapper Tool". Refinements this year added data for thousands of smaller villages and settlements, and mitigated input data anomalies.
  • Use of NGA sources including Controlled Image Base (CIB) imagery, imagery from the Digital Globe's Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery, and other high-resolution imager sources for verification and validation, including mitigation of input data anomalies.

LandScan Global Archive

The LandScan Global Archive, initially released in March 2013, is a compilation of the historical LandScan data sets beginning in 2000 up through the year prior to the current release, e.g. currently 2000-2011 (excluding the initial pilot edition from 1998 which was not intended for public consumption). Note that the level of detail and accuracy varies for earlier years, since the data compilers have continued to improve the type of sources (imaging etc.) and analytical algorithms applied. It is available for purchase by libraries that have purchased the current data set. The data is available in the original GIS format via FTP; upon request it can be provided as a DVD.
 

Delivery: 

LandScan data is available through three methods:FTP for raw data delivery, OGC Web Services (online access for GIS users), or a WebApp (online access for non-GIS users) developed by East View. In the web application, which has been developed to support easy viewing and analysis by non-GIS users, selection of a specific geographic region results in graphic visualization of the population levels in addition to charts representing population distribution by age and gender. Background views can be set to show topography, maps, or satellite imagery. Land cover features are shown, as well as buildings and other elements in more densely populated areas.

The data can be licensed for export to specific proprietary applications.

East View offers a single portal page for access to both the current and archived editions (for those acquiring the LandScan Global Archive). A graphical browse is provided for each year of the archival edition. Note that users must take into account that the accuracy and amount of detail is not as great for earlier years of the dataset.

Terms: 

The current year of LandScan data and tools is available by subscription.

The LandScan Global Archive is sold as a complete set. Separate maintenance fees do not apply for the archive. Libraries that purchase the archive must also have purchased the current year.

Strengths and Weaknesses: 

This sophisticated, authoritative, and up-to-date set of data is suitable for a variety of uses by experienced researchers. East View and ORNL note that LandScan can be a valuable resource not only for academic research, but also for policy makers and organizations providing development aid or disaster assistance. For undergraduate instruction and research, other sources of census and geographic information are probably adequate and easier to use, although the web application developed by East View does make the data more approachable.

Reviewers: 

Center for Research Libraries

  • Virginia Kerr - Digital Program Manager

 

Sources

Sources for this review include information publicly posted or obtained directly from the publisher; data collected by CRL staff and specialists at CRL libraries; and examination of the digital collection when possible. Other sources are noted where cited. CRL continues to gather additional information on this resource and to solicit critical assessment.
CRL Offers & Status
StatusCurrentDescription
CRL FlaggednoPotential interest to CRL community
Offer PendingnoCurrently a candidate for CRL offer
Active OffernoCurrently offered for purchase or new subscription
Trial AccessnoAvailable for trial
Renewal OffernoCurrently offered for renewal
Expired OfferyesPast offers
Inactive / DeclinednoNo longer under consideration by CRL
Reviewed by CRLyesEvaluation available by CRL and community
Special AccessnoMember-only access available for a limited time
The complete offer and activity details for this resource are only available to CRL members.

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Source URL: https://edesiderata.crl.edu/resources/landscan

Links
[1] https://edesiderata.crl.edu/providers/east-view-information-services
[2] http://www.eastview.com/