We gathered Internet links where to get DEM datasets and divided them to four categories: Canada, United States of America, South America and Globe DEM's. Most of these datasets are free of charges. Few restrictions, however, apply for some of them. All theses datasets are supported by our products: Grid Translator Pro for MapInfo® Vertical Mapper™, Grid Translator Pro for ArcGIS®, Grid Translator Pro for Geomedia Grid, Grid Translator Pro for Planet, and Relief Shade enabling their usage and integration within the industry GIS products.
Digital elevation models for Canada can be downloaded at no cost from different locations on the Internet.
 |
1- GeoBase DEM's
GeoBase is a web portal launched to ensure the provision of geospatial data for Canada. Among other data, GeoBase provides ~ 3 arc seconds and ~ 12 arc seconds resolution DEM generated from topographic maps at scales of 1:50 000 and 1:250 000. The DEM's can be downloaded at:
http://www.geobase.ca/
 |
2- GTOPO30 DEM's
The resolution of these DEM's is 30 arc seconds (~1000 m). The DEM's can be downloaded as gzip compressed (*.gz) files, then decompressed to be imported by Grid Translator Pro.
http://edc.usgs.gov/products/elevation/gtopo30/gtopo30.html
3- USGS Seamless Data Distribution System
Higher resolution Canada DEM's (~90 m) are currently provided in the Seamless Data Distribution System. Once the viewer is loaded, make sure that the check box "SRTM 90 m" is selected at the right bottom legend. Canada DEM's are provided up to 60 degree latitude (north).
http://seamless.usgs.gov/
 |
|
DEM's for the United States can be downloaded at no cost from several locations on the Internet.
1- Shuttle Radar Topography Mission DTED®
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission DTED® Level 2 (1-arc second) covering all the USA can be found at:
http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/srtmdted2/
 |
The DEMs found at the mentioned web link have a cell resolution of one degree square in latitude and longitude with a surface resolution of approximately 90 meters.
2- USGS Seamless Data Distribution System
Higher resolution USA DEM's are currently provided in the Seamless Data Distribution System. This site is a convenient source of National Elevation Dataset (NED) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) terrain data for the United States and other limited areas of the world. Area selection is seamless and is not constrained by latitude or longitude boundaries, and data can be downloaded immediately. Currently downloads are free of charge for 30 degree square zones. Larger areas are offered at charge. SRTM data are provided in different formats: .BIL, ArcGrid (ArcInfo binary format) and Geotiff.
http://seamless.usgs.gov/
 |
3- USGS SDTS 7.5 DEM's
USA DEM's (30 m and 10 m resolution) can also be found at ATDI and MapMart web sites:
ATDI:
http://www.atdi-us.com/sdtsdata.htm
 |
MapMart:
http://www.mapmart.com/DEM/DEM.htm
 |
|
Digital Elevation Models for South America can be downloaded at no cost from the USGS Seamless Data Distribution System
1- USGS Seamless Data Distribution System:
South America DEM's at 90 m can be downloaded form the Seamless Data Distribution System at http://seamless.usgs.gov. At this page, click "View and Order Data Sets - International Viewer". Once the viewer is loaded, make sure that the check box "SRTM 90 m" is selected at the right bottom legend.
 |
|
Digital Elevation Models for the globe can be downloaded at no cost from either the USGS global topographic data web site or the FTP SRTM web site.
1. Global Topographic Data (GTOPO30):
The USGS maintains a web page that provides a graphical point-and-click interface for rapidly locating and downloading one 30 arc seconds DEMs of any location on the globe.
http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/gtopo30.html
 |
2. SRTM DTED site:
World wide SRTM DTED DEM are provided at the USGS SRTM DTED site:
http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/srtmdted/