World soil maps

The Digital Soil Map of the World (DSMW) CD-ROM is based on the FAO-UNESCO 1:5M Soil Map of the World. The CD-ROM contains the map sheets and derived soil properties files with images from the Soil Map of the World: Africa, North America, Central America, Europe, Central and Northeast Asia, Far East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. The maps are available in vector format (ARC/INFO Export) and raster format (ERDAS and IDRISI or flat raster).  The scale of the original map (and the vector-formatted data) is 1:5M. The cell size of the raster data is 5 x 5 arc-minute. The Derived Soil Properties files consist of interpretation programs and related data files.  Included are parameters such as pH, organic carbon content, C/N ratio, clay mineralogy, soil depth, soil and terrain suitability for specific crop production, soil moisture storage capacity and soil drainage class.  Also included are maps of classification units of the World Soil Reference Base units and topsoil distribution. In addition there is a soil database for environmental studies on a global scale, which includes soil moisture storage capacity, soil drainage class and effective soil depth. For further information, please contact: Dr F. Nachtergaele (Freddy Nachtergaele@fao.org)

 

Scanned Soil Maps of the World

Click to access Soil Maps of Africa

 

ISRIC World Soil Information data sets: click here

 

USDA Global soil information