About GISCV.ORG
What is GISCV.ORG?
GISCV.ORG is an independent, open-access geospatial data repository dedicated to Cabo Verde.
It was created to facilitate access to geographic information about the archipelago and to support its use in scientific research, education, environmental monitoring, territorial planning and other applications requiring reliable spatial data. The repository brings together geospatial information from different sources and makes it easier to discover, understand and use within Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Why GISCV.ORG?
A considerable amount of geographic information about Cabo Verde already exists, but it is often dispersed across different institutions, platforms, publications and data repositories. Some datasets can also be difficult to locate, interpret or integrate into a GIS workflow. GISCV.ORG was created to help overcome these limitations by providing a single point of access to selected geospatial resources relevant to Cabo Verde. Particular attention is given not only to making data available, but also to documenting their original sources, coordinate reference systems, spatial characteristics and conditions of use.
What does GISCV.ORG provide?
The repository provides access to a growing collection of vector and raster geospatial data, together with supporting information designed to facilitate their appropriate use. Its contents include coordinate reference systems and mapping grids suitable for use in Cabo Verde; geographical boundaries of the islands and islets; digital elevation and bathymetric models; climate data; satellite imagery sources and mosaics; cartographic aerial photography; plant and animal distribution data; and other thematic and historical cartography. Whenever appropriate, datasets are prepared in formats that can be readily used in widely adopted GIS software, including QGIS and ArcGIS.
An independent initiative
GISCV.ORG is not an official government geospatial data portal and does not replace the institutions responsible for producing and maintaining the original data. Whenever data originate from external organisations, the original source is identified and acknowledged. Where appropriate, links to the institutions or platforms responsible for the original datasets are also provided. Some products available through GISCV.ORG have been prepared from existing datasets through procedures such as selection, clipping, georeferencing, digitisation, reprojection or the organisation of information into GIS-ready formats. Other products have been specifically created for the repository. Information concerning data provenance and reuse conditions is provided alongside the corresponding resources.
An open and collaborative project
GISCV.ORG is designed as a dynamic and evolving repository. New datasets, cartographic resources and supporting documentation may be progressively added as relevant information becomes available or new products are developed. The project adopts an open and collaborative approach and welcomes contributions from the scientific community working on Cabo Verde, as well as from the broader geospatial community. The objective is to encourage the discovery, appropriate use and reuse of geographic information and, ultimately, to contribute to a better spatial understanding of the Cabo Verde archipelago.
Who is behind GISCV.ORG?
GISCV.ORG was conceived, developed and is maintained by Nuno de Santos Loureiro (nlourei@ualg.pt), a Portuguese and Cabo Verdean citizen and Full Professor at the University of Algarve, Portugal.