GIS standards

GIS standards are agreed-upon rules that ensure geographic data—like maps and location information—is accurate, compatible, and easy to share. They define how data should be collected, stored, formatted, and exchanged across different systems and organizations. This consistency helps professionals work together efficiently, reduces errors, and ensures that maps and spatial information are reliable and understandable regardless of the software or platform used. In essence, GIS standards are the common language and guidelines that make geographic data useful and trustworthy across various applications.