Meta data from the cadastral survey

The term «meta data» came into use about the same time as the first databases. Meta data are information which describe the quality and origin of data. They allow the user to «read» the data, compare them with other data and combine these to a particular application.

Meta data could therefore also be defined as «data about data».

For cadastral surveying, meta data provide useful information about the quality and reliability of the data, about the producer and when they were last updated, etc.

This information is welcomed especially by administrative authorities, specialists as well as private users who can now obtain information about special features of a particular area, about the characteristics of the municipality, or about the land register and the corresponding legal documents.

Data originating from different sources are stored in a central database which is maintained and monitored by the cantonal surveying authorities together with the Federal Directorate for Cadastral Surveying.

The information is available under www.geometa.ch .