SGC 2016 - Information on reference maps
About the maps
Volume II of the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2016 provides a series of reference maps that show the boundaries, names and SGC codes of all census divisions (CDs) and census subdivisions (CSDs) in Canada, in effect on January 1, 2016. It also provides the names, codes and areal extent of census metropolitan areas (CMAs), census agglomerations (CAs), census metropolitan influenced zones (MIZs) and economic regions (ERs). Definitions for these terms are found in Volume I of the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2016, Catalogue no. 12-571-X. Concordances between the 2016 classification and the 2011 classification as well as annual changes in the census subdivision names, types and codes are also available.
The maps in this volume are introduced by a set of four national maps, at a scale which permits Canada to fit on a single sheet (i.e., 1:7 500 000). Map A, illustrating the country's 293 census divisions, presents a numerical list of the census divisions by province and territory. Maps B shows the location (using dots) of the census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations of Canada and present a numerical and alphabetical list of CMAs and CAs by province and territory. This map is designed to give a general idea of where CMAs and CAs are situated within a province or territory, with large dots designating CMAs and small dots designating CAs. Map C shows the Statistical Area Classification - Variant of SGC 2016. This map illustrates the spatial distribution of CSDs among CMAs, CAs and MIZs. Map D shows the census division and economic region boundaries and codes within each province and territory. This is accompanied by a legend which lists the ER names in ER code order within which are listed (numerically) their component census division codes and names.
The next set of maps, the Census divisions - Census subdivisions (CD-CSD) maps, shows the location of census divisions and census subdivisions and their SGC codes as well as the CSD names. This set begins with an index map, which shows the areas covered by each map. The index map covers all of Canada and is presented on a single sheet. It may be used as a quick reference to determine the correct map number(s) for the area(s) of interest. There are 23 CD-CSD maps for the 10 provinces and 3 territories. These maps include, where applicable, the boundaries and codes for CMAs and CAs, and on each map face, a list of the appropriate CD and CMA/CA names and codes (numerical and alphabetical order).
The maps were designed with the objective of permitting users to identify the general location, boundaries, names and codes of the geographic areas presented in Volume I of the SGC 2016. The maps are not intended to serve as detailed legal or cadastral representations of the geographic areas shown.
Technical information and data sources
The following are key technical points relating to the production of the maps:
- The vector base map information (e.g., shorelines, rivers, and lakes) were taken from the National Geographic Database, version 2 (NGD v.2). The map series is represented in Lambert conformal conic projection. The standard parallels, central meridians and latitudes of origin are specific to each province and territory.
- Geographic boundaries, names, types and codes were obtained from the Statistics Canada Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) June 2016 Geographic Frame. The reference date for all geographic areas is January 1, 2016. The naming of CSDs is a provincial/territorial responsibility. River and lake names were taken from the Canadian Geographical Names Data Base (CGNDB). Names of geographic entities having 'pan-Canadian' significance, established by the Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC) (i.e., names of provinces, territories, major islands and major bodies of water) are shown in both official languages.
