Metadata standards are structured frameworks for describing geospatial data. They ensure consistency, interoperability, and discoverability of datasets. Two of the most widely recognized standards for geospatial metadata are FGDC and ISO 19115.

FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee) Standard

• Full name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM)
• Developed by: U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee
• Focus: Primarily used in the United States for documenting digital geospatial data.
• Structure: Includes seven major sections:
  1. Identification
  2. Data Quality
  3. Spatial Data Organization
  4. Spatial Reference
  5. Entity and Attribute
  6. Distribution
  7. Metadata Reference
• Format: Usually in XML or plain text.
• Status: Still in use but gradually being replaced by ISO standards in many organizations.

ISO 19115

• Full name: ISO 19115 – Geographic Information – Metadata
• Developed by: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Focus: International standard for describing geographic information and services.
• Structure: Modular and more flexible than FGDC. Key components include:
  • Metadata about dataset identification, extent, quality, spatial/temporal schema, and distribution.
• Versions:
  • ISO 19115:2003: Original standard.
  • ISO 19115-1:2014: Revised version with better support for online data and services.
  • ISO 19115-2: Extension for imagery and gridded data (e.g., remote sensing).
• Format: Often used with ISO 19139, which provides the XML implementation schema.

Key Differences

Use Cases

• FGDC: Older U.S. government datasets, archival data, compliance with certain legacy systems.
• ISO 19115: Modern SDIs (Spatial Data Infrastructures), international data portals, Earth observation metadata.