The Australian Antarctic Division holds a collection of approximately 5,500 maps and charts. A catalogue of its holdings can be searched in detail and viewed in the SCAR Antarctic Map Catalogue. The Map Catalogue includes many historical maps dating back to the mid 1800's, thematic maps such as geological, vegetation and bathymetry maps, hydrographic charts, topographical maps, satellite image maps and orthophoto maps. Maps for work purposes are provided to Antarctic Expeditioners and AAD staff free of charge. Members of the public may be directed to mapping sales outlets. Contact the technical officer (below) for details. Many maps in the catalogue are digital maps available for download. These maps are provided free of charge. The Data Centre employs a Map Curator for adding, updating and correcting map references. The Map Curator is also responsible for storing and manageing the physical copies of maps in the Data Centre Map store. If there are any errors, please advise the Data Centre using the links on the Map Catalogue page.

The SCAR Spatial Data Model has been developed for Geoscience Standing Scientific Group (GSSG). It was presented to XXVII SCAR, 15-26 July 2002, in Shanghai, China. The Spatial Data Model is one of nine projects of the Geographic Information Program 2000-2002. The goal of this project is 'To provide a SCAR standard spatial data model for use in SCAR and national GIS databases.' Activities within this project include: 1. Continue developing the SCAR Feature Catalogue and the SCAR Spatial Data Model 2. Provide SCAR Feature Catalogue online 3. Creation and incorporation of symbology 4. Investigate metadata / data quality requirements 5. Ensure compliance to ISO TC211 and OGC standards Source: http://www.geoscience.scar.org/geog/geog.htm#stds Spatial data are increasingly being available in digital form, managed in a GIS and distributed on the web. More data are being exchanged between nations/institutions and used by a variety of disciplines. Exchange of data and its multiple use makes it necessary to provide a standard framework. The Feature Catalogue is one component of the Spatial Data Model, that will provide the platform for creating understandable and accessible data to users. Care has been taken to monitor the utility of relevant emerging ISO TC211 standards. The Feature Catalogue provides a detailed description of the nature and the structure of GIS and map information. It follows ISO/DIS 19110, Geographic Information - Methodology for feature cataloguing. The Feature Catalogue can be used in its entirety, or in part. The Feature Catalogue is a dynamic document, that will evolve with use over time. Considerable effort has gone into ensuring that the Feature Catalogue is a unified and efficient tool that can be used with any GIS software and at any scale of geographic information. The structure includes data quality information, terminology, database types and attribute options that will apply to any GIS. The Feature Catalogue is stored in a database to enable any component of the information to be easily viewed, printed, downloaded and updated via the Web.