What is topographic data?
Topographic data is spatial data that describes the shape and features of the earth's surface, i.e., landscape elements such as terrain, water bodies, vegetation, buildings, roads, and other natural or man-made objects.
Topographic data is used to create digital or paper maps, the design of which makes it easy to understand the location of features and the nature of the landscape. In addition to maps, topographic data is used to analyze space, for example in planning, construction, land valuation, natural disaster prediction, and other location-related analyses.
Topographic data is stored in the Estonian Topographic Database (ETAK). This data is used to produce various maps, and ETAK data is also used in national databases, such as the Estonian Nature Information System, the Road Register, and the Address Information System.
Changes in nature are mapped in ETAK using data collected from aerial photography and aerial laser scanning, as well as by exchanging data with other databases.
ETAK data is available to everyone free of charge as open data via the Land and Spatial Development Board's geoportal or spatial data catalog.
Video introducing the field of geomatics
Why does the Land and Spatial Development Board need an airplane? How are maps updated? What exciting technology is used? You can find answers to these questions in a video introducing the geomatics field of the Land and Spatial Development Board.
What does the Land and Spatial Development Board do in the field of topographic data and maps?
The Land and Spatial Development Board collects, manages, and updates data in the Estonian topographic database, providing reliable topographic maps that are used as digital base maps.
Land and Spatial Development Board cooperates with other national and international organizations in the field of topographic data. In addition, it manages a cartographic archive to preserve and provide access to historical and current map materials.
The data in the Estonian topography database must be regularly updated to map changes in land use, new roads, and buildings.
Changes in nature are mapped in ETAK
- using data collected from aerial photography and aerial laser scanning,
- stereoscopic mapping and
- data exchange with other databases.
Stereoscopic mapping is performed in a 3D environment created from aerial images, which allows for very accurate mapping.
In order for the topographical data produced by the Land and Spatial Development Board to be used in other registers, data interoperability must be established, which in simple terms means that a link between the data must be created. For example, a reference to the place name register is added to a lake mapped in ETAK, or a road section is divided where the road number changes in the road register.
A change in one database must also be reflected in the other. To make data exchange as automatic as possible, services are being created that enable data to be shared and used between information systems.
- The Land and Spatial Development Board produces digitally formatted base maps with different designs for various purposes from the same topographical data.
- The base maps are updated very quickly, with changes made in ETAK reflected on these maps within a matter of days.
- Once a year, a basic map of Estonia at a scale of 1:10000 is produced in digital form.
- A paper map at a scale of 1:20000 is also printed from the topographic data.
The Land and Spatial Development Board is a member of EuroGeographics, the association of European mapping, land registry, and cadastral agencies, and participates in the creation of digital map data covering the whole of Europe within the scope of Estonia.
International joint projects include:
Related links
Last updated: 06.11.2025
