In Italy The National Geoportal allows the visualization and use of Itallian maps that have been produced following an agreement between the state and regions about the reference cartographic system dated 12TH October 2000.
We can imagine the National Geoportal as a “library” on the web whose shelves contain all the maps of the italian territory that are available concerning territorial and environmental themes.
The maps that form the Cartographic base of reference have sets of data that are homogeneous and easy to understand, compare and exchange the content, this information gives life to the National repertory of territorial Data.These maps are predisposed for cooperation between the various public Administration and also a wider peripheral network of local Administrations that all interact with the Ministry of the environment.
The National Geoportal allows anyone who has internet – students, researchers, administrators, and the general public – to see and freely use any maps that may be of interest to them, choosing them as if from a library shelf.
At the moment amongst the strata of maps available all of which can be superimposed we will find:
- Black and white and colour photo;
- IGM cartograpfy;
- Digital model of landscape;
- toponyms;
- Administrative limits;
- Protected areas;
- Soil description;
- Plan of territory;
- Sea bathymetric;
- Coastal erosion risk;
- Physical map of coast;
- railways;
- Orthophoto dates;
- Geologic data;
- CORINE Land Cover.
At the Regional Level there are also different online database that allow to use and freely download geographic data. They are: