Forward Sortation Area (FSA)
Census Subdivisions (CSD)
Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA)
If you have heard these terms, then simply put, these are just politically defined boundaries, such as boundaries to a city, postal code zone, metropolitan zone, etc...
One may not initially realize that Google Maps now clearly shows the boundaries of any division. We all know it shows boundary lines between countries, states, provinces, and many times cities. However, now Google Maps delves further down to show boundaries of metropolitan zones and postal codes.
This tool becomes especially useful to those wishing to see the boundaries for a zone of their special interest. For example, if you are in marketing and need to find exact boundaries for specific postal codes so you know exactly what information is inside your zone of interest (eg. how many houses, schools, etc...), then Google Maps will show you a clear cut boundary of what you need to see.
Below I show an example of searching for a postal code boundary. The map below shows my Google Maps search for the boundary of an N2L postal code (in Waterloo, Ontario).
I simply enter my postal code in the search bar...
Google Maps shows the result on the left contents pane.
Your boundary is then defined by a dotted line with a pink inner glow.
How do you get the polygon shapes of each city, state and zip code?
ReplyDeleteIf you type in the Google Maps search box, the name of the city or zip code, the polygon will automatically show up. (Might have to try zooming out a little bit)
ReplyDeleteNow I haven't had a chance to try this, but you might also be able to export this polygon and convert it to a shapefile using an extension in ArcGIS (if that is what you use). In the same area where "Get Directions" and "My places" is, there is a box with a Printer symbol in it. Next to it is an icon that looks like a paperclip, named "Link". Click on this, copy the URL in the first box. Paste the URL into the address bar of a new browser window, HOWEVER before pressing "Enter" or "Search" key, add this text to the end of the URL with no spaces:
&output=kml
This will give you a KML file which you can bring into arc.
Unfortunately when I do this, there is no download prompt. Do you know of any other way to do this?
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