A quick guide to some of the most popular USGS geospatial data products. An alphabetic listing of all major categories of USGS geospatial data products. Searching is the equivalent of using the library's card catalog. It's the most efficient method of examining available online USGS geospatial data holdings to find the information you want. The capability to search for data online by keyword or area of interest is provided by USGS and other National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse Gateways .
Some data sets are available online at no cost.
For others, you may need to set up an account to pay a distribution fee. Some data sets are not online and you will be instructed how to order a compact disk or a tape. Others are in more specialized formats, which are described in their metadata. Whenever you retrieve a data set, it is important to retrieve the associated metadata as well, since the metadata provides important information for using the data set. The browser software you are using to view this page probably is able to view and print the metadata files, or to save them locally on your computer for later use.