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Standard Geographical Classification and Boundary Files
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The 2006 Standard Geographical Classification and the 2006 Boundary Files for selected geographies are released today.
The Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) is a classification of geographical areas used to collect and disseminate statistics. The 2006 edition replaces the 2001 edition as the official classification for geographical areas for the 2006 Census and other Statistics Canada surveys.
The classification is organized in two volumes: Volume I, (Preliminary), The Classification and Volume II, Reference Maps.
Volume I contains tables of the names and codes of standard geographical classification units, organized by province and territory and by metropolitan area. Designed as a reference and coding tool, Volume I is available in PDF and HTML formats. The final version of Volume I, to be released in January 2007, will contain additional tables as well as concordances between SGC 2001 and SGC 2006.
Volume II contains reference maps showing boundaries, names, codes and locations of the geographical areas in the classification. The reference maps show census subdivisions, census divisions, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, and economic regions. The maps can be downloaded for free in PDF format from our website. In January 2007, Volume II will also be released in a paper version.
The 2006 Boundary Files portray the geographical limits used for census dissemination and provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis. The geographical areas covered are those of the 2006 Standard Geographical Classification. There are two types of boundary files: digital and cartographic. Digital files depict the full extent of the geographical areas, including the coastal water area. Cartographic files depict the geographical areas using only the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. The files are available in three formats: ArcInfo®, MapInfo® and Geography Markup Language.
For more information on the 2006 Standard Geographical Classification, Volume I, (Preliminary), The Classification (12-571-PIE, free) or Standard Geographical Classification, Volume II, Reference Maps (12-572-XWE, free), contact Richard Fortin (613-951-3445; standards@statcan.gc.ca), Standards Division.
The 2006 Boundary Files (92-160-XWE, free) and Boundary Files, Reference Guide (92-160-GIE, free) are now available in electronic format. For more information, contact Geo-Help (613-951-3889; geohelp@statcan.gc.ca), Geography Division.
