Metadata
What is Metadata?
Metadata defined in its simplest form is “data about data”. Good Metadata enables users of a particular dataset to understand the content they are reviewing, its potential and its limitations. Metadata describe the summary information or characteristics of a dataset. In the area of geospatial information or information with a geographic component, this normally means the What? Who? Where? When? and How? of the data, it specifically focus on the Where element, since the dataset represents features at a specific geographic location. By answering the 5 questions above people can now find data that meet their needs easier.
Page updated: 28 Feb 2007