FAO Major Elevation Zones of Africa (GIS Coverage)

New-ID: NBI19

The Africa Major Elevation Zones Dataset documentation

File: ELEVLL
Code: 100070-003

Vector Member
The above file is in Arc/Info Export format and should be imported
using the Arc/Info command Import cover In-Filename Out-Filename The
Africa elevation major zones dataset is part of the UNEP/FAO/ESRI
Database project that covers the entire world but focuses here on
Africa. The maps were prepared by Environmental Systems Research
Institute (ESRI), USA. Most data for the database were provided by
the Soil Resources, Management and Conservation Service Land and Water
Development Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
Italy. This dataset was developed in collaboration with the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Kenya. The manuscript derived
from the topographic film separates of the UNESCO/FAO Soil Map of the
World (1977) in Miller Oblated Stereographic projection was used to
provide a generalized coverage of elevation values providing
information as both line-related and polygonal form. The map was
prepared by overlaying the topography film separate with a matte
drafting film and then delineating the selected elevation contours.
Some of the line crenulation was removed during the delineation
process, because this map was designed to define general elevation
zones rather than constitute a true topographic base. Code values
were recorded directly on the map and were key-entered during the
digitizing process with a spatial resolution of 0.002 inches, as part
of the polygon or line sequence indentification number. The map was
then transformed from inch coordinates to latitude/longitude
degrees. The transformation was done using an unpublished algorithm of
the US Geological Survey and ESRI to create coverages for one-degree
graticules. Contact: UNEP/GRID-Nairobi, P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya
FAO, Soil Resources, Management and Conservation Service, 00100, Rome,
Italy.
ESRI, 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373, USA

The ELEVLL2 data shows Major Elevation zones of Africa, in lat/lon

References:

ESRI. Final Report UNEP/FAO World and Africa GIS data base (1984).
Internal Publication by ESRI, FAO and UNEP FAO. UNESCO/FAO Soil Map
of the World(1977). Scale 1:5000000. UNESCO, Paris DMA. Topographic
Maps of Africa (various dates). Scale 1:2000000 Washington DC.

G.M. Grosvenor. National Geographic Atlas of the World (1975).
Scale 1:8500000. National Geographic Society Washington DC.

Source: FAO Soil Map of the World, scale 1:5000000
Publication Date: Dec 1984
Projection: Miller
Type: Polygon and line
Format: Arc/Info export non compressed
Related Datasets: All UNEP/FAO/ESRI Datasets
AFELBA elevation and Bathymetry (100048)