State Boundaries of the United States

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Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: State Boundaries of the United States
Abstract:
This map layer portrays the State boundaries of the United States, and the boundaries of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The map layer was created by extracting the State boundary polygons from the individual 1:2,000,000-scale State boundary Digital Line Graph (DLG) files produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. These files were then merged into a single coverage. This is an updated version of the June 2002 map layer; the date when each State was admitted to the United States was added.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    National Atlas of the United States, 200506, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Cross, VeeAnn A. , Foster, David S. , and Bratton, John F. , 2010, Continuous Resistivity Profiling and Seismic-Reflection Data Collected in 2006 from the Potomac River Estuary, Virginia and Maryland: Open-File Report 2009-1151, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -179.133392
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: 179.788208
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 71.398048
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.674692

  3. What does it look like?

    <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1151/data/basemap/statesp020.gif> (GIF)
    Thumbnail image of the polygon state boundaries.

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 1972
    Ending_Date: 2005
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
      U.S. Department of Commerce, 1987, Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas (FIPS 5-2): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • GT-polygon composed of chains (2895)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    State (described by Statesp020.dbf)
    First order division of a nation, including States and State equivalents. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    Shape
    The representation of the entity in the data. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    Polygon2-dimensional element

    AREA
    The size of the shape in square coverage units. In the distributed file, coverage units represent square decimal degrees. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:267.357

    PERIMETER
    The perimeter of shape in coverage units. In the distributed file, coverage units represent decimal degrees. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.010
    Maximum:374.768

    STATESP020
    Internal feature number. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:2896

    STATE
    The name of the State or State equivalent. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas, FIPS 5-2.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology

    STATE_FIPS
    The 2-digit FIPS code of the State or State equivalent. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas, FIPS 5-2.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology

    ORDER_ADM
    An ordinal value indicating the State?s order of admission to the United States. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    0The area is not a State. Washington, DC is a district, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States.

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:50

    MONTH_ADM
    The month when the State was admitted to the United States. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    <blank>The area is not a State. Washington, DC is a district, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States.

    Range of values
    Minimum:January
    Maximum:December

    DAY_ADM
    The day when the State was admitted to the United States. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    0The area is not a State. Washington, DC is a district, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States.

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:31

    YEAR_ADM
    The year when the State was admitted to the United States. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    0The area is not a State. Washington, DC is a district, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States.

    Range of values
    Minimum:1787
    Maximum:1959

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Woodley Chu
    National Atlas of the United States
    12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
    Reston, VA 20192

    703-648-6375 (voice)
    atlasmail@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the national level, and for large regional areas. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:2,000,000-scale data. No responsibility is assumed by the National Atlas of the United States in the use of these data.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    2MILBD (source 1 of 11)
    U.S. Geological Survey, 1995, 1:2,000,000-scale Digital Line Graph Data - Boundaries: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-HY98 (source 2 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 1998, Hydrography Features of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial information

    ATLAS-STATES98 (source 3 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 1998, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-HY9903 (source 4 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 199903, Hydrography Features of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, Virginia.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-STATES9903 (source 5 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 199903, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    1:100,000-scale base maps (source 6 of 11)
    U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, 1:100,000-scale USGS topographic maps: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 100000
    Source_Contribution: spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-STATES199911 (source 7 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 199911, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-CNTY200206 (source 8 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 200206, County Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-STATES200206 (source 9 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 200206, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    STATEHOOD (source 10 of 11)
    U.S. Government Printing Office, 20031104, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government: U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Attribute information

    ATLAS-hydro (source 11 of 11)
    National Atlas of the United States, 200301, Streams and Waterbodies of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 1998 (process 1 of 7)
    The 2MILBD data files were originally digitized by the National Mapping Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), based on the sectional maps contained in 'The National Atlas of the United States of America' published by the USGS in 1970. The sectional maps were updated during 1978-1981 and digitized in the early 1980's. The data were updated again in the early 1990's by the USGS and published on CD-ROM in 1995 as State DLGs. These DLG files were updated in 1997. Using Arc/INFO software, the DLG optional format files were converted to Arc/INFO coverages using the DLGARC command. Only State political boundaries and attribute information were extracted for inclusion. The file was compared to ATLAS-HY98. State boundary lines that crossed open water were excluded for graphic purposes, and polygons that represented islands were attributed with the appropriate State information. The individual State coverages were then merged together using the Arc/INFO command MAPJOIN. 'Slivers' created during the MAPJOIN process were identified and deleted using the ELIMINATE command.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • 2MILBD
    • ATLAS-HY98

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES98

    Date: 1999 (process 2 of 7)
    The spatial features in ATLAS-STATES98 were compared to ATLAS-HY9903 and modified where necessary. Incorrect attributes were corrected. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were added.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES98
    • ATLAS-HY9903

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES9903

    Date: 1999 (process 3 of 7)
    A minor adjustment was made to the shoreline in Galveston Bay, Texas.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES9903
    • 1:100,000 scale base maps

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES199911

    Date: May-2002 (process 4 of 7)
    Boundary adjustments of 1 square mile or greater were made between the following: 
    1. Arkansas and Mississippi
2. Arkansas and Oklahoma
3. Arkansas and Tennessee
4. Idaho and Montana
5. Idaho and Oregon
6. Illinois and Missouri
7. Iowa and Nebraska
8. Louisiana and Mississippi
9. Missouri and Nebraska
10. Montana and Wyoming
11. Nebraska and South Dakota
12. Oklahoma and Texas
13. Tennessee and Virginia
14. Texas and Mexico (southern border of Texas)
    In addition, some minor adjustments were made to other States.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-CNTY200206
    • ATLAS-STATES199911

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES200206

    Date: May-2005 (process 5 of 7)
    Attributes were added that provide, for each State, the month, day, and year of admission to the United States. The order of admission was also added. In addition, two line segments along the Texas/Mexico border were modified to align to ATLAS-hydro.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-STATES200206
    • STATEHOOD
    • ATLAS-hydro

    Date: 2009 (process 6 of 7)
    Used ArcMap 9.2 to define the spatial reference as Geographic, NAD83 based on the metadata accompanying the dataset. ArcMap 9.2 - ArcToolbox - Data Management Tools - Projections and Transformations - Define Projection. Parameters used: input dataset - statesp020.shp; coordinate system - GCS_North_American_1983

    Person who carried out this activity:

    VeeAnn A. Cross
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Marine Geologist
    Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

    (508) 548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov

    Data sources used in this process:
    • statesp020.shp

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • statesp020.shp

    Date: 2009 (process 7 of 7)
    Used ArcCatalog 9.2 to import the text metadata that shipped with the data. The text metadata had to be edited (used Microsoft WordPad version 5.1) so that the metadata would import correctly. This included adding the attribute FID and make all the attribute labels upper-case letters.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    VeeAnn A. Cross
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Marine Geologist
    Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

    (508) 548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov

    Data sources used in this process:
    • statesp020.txt

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • statesp202.shp

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    This map layer includes State boundaries for all 50 States, and boundaries for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Data completeness generally reflects the content of the original DLG files.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    The map layer was checked for topological consistency using the Arc/INFO command BUILD. No other checks for logical consistency were performed on this map layer.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
None. Acknowledgment of the National Atlas of the United States of America would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
    507 National Center
    Reston, VA 20192

    1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) (voice)

    Contact_Instructions:
    In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list of these offices is at <http://geography.usgs.gov/esic/esic_index.html>.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Downloadable Data

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the
    U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    This WinZip file contains data available in ESRI polygon shapefile format. The user must have software capable of uncompressing the WinZip file and reading/displaying the shapefile.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 01-Jun-2005
Metadata author:
Peg Rawson
National Atlas of the United States
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
Reston, VA 20192

703-648-4183 (voice)
atlasmail@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.6 on Thu Mar 25 13:01:52 2010