Administrative Boundaries
Definition
Administrative boundaries are legally defined borders separating political or jurisdictional regions (e.g., countries, states, municipalities). They are often codified in national databases and used for governance, resource management, and statistical reporting.
Application
Census bureaus use boundaries to aggregate demographic data. Tax jurisdictions rely on them for compliance. Conservationists map protected areas within legal borders. Electoral commissions define voting districts. GIS platforms like OpenStreetMap crowdsource boundary updates. Disputes (e.g., India-China border) require precise boundary data for diplomacy.
FAQ
1. How are administrative boundaries updated?
Through government decrees, treaties, or crowdsourced platforms.
2. What’s the role of ISO 3166?
It standardizes country/region codes (e.g., US-TX for Texas).
3. Can boundaries overlap?
Yes, e.g., tribal lands within national borders.
4. Why do boundary disputes arise in GIS?
Due to conflicting legal claims or outdated maps.