Metadata Standard

Metadata, or "data about data," provide documentation of spatial data, describing content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of a data set. Well written metadata files benefit the data creators as well as data seekers and users. Proper documentation allows data to be used appropriately and can make it available for others to use as well. Conducting searches on metadata through clearinghouses allows users to obtain well-documented data in a timely and cost effective way.