National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) for Afghanistan

With decades of experience in developing country-scale geographic information system (GIS) databases and in performing major geologic mapping and resource assessment programs within the Middle East, Eurasia, Asia and South America, the USGS is working to develop an integrated GIS data framework for Afghanistan that will provide the fundamental databases and current, state-of-the-art maps to support natural resource assessment programs and to aid in restoring Afghan geosciences ministries to operational status.

Working in cooperation with the Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS), Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industries (MMI), and Afghanistan Geology and Cartography Head Office (AGCHO), participants in USGS’ Geospatial Infrastructure Development Project have collected, compiled, and digitized existing geologic, topographic and remote sensing data and used them to produce geologic, cartographic, and satellite image map sets of the entire country. They have worked with Afghan partners to develop in-country expertise in various types of mapping, and have also initiated work on a national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) for Afghanistan.

The Geospatial Infrastructure Development team is also responsible for developing and maintaining this website, and thus providing data for both USGS and collaborating scientists in support of their respective projects as well as making available more general information about USGS Projects in Afghanistan to the public.

Access products of the Geospatial Infrastructure Project, including data collections, maps, and various publications.