Prototype Global Shoreline
From OpenStreetMap
Prototype Global Shoreline (PGS) is a potential datasource of coastline data. It is made from landsat via algorithm.
Importing PGS data into OSM
We have a script called "Almien coastlines (PGS)" for importing this data into OSM. Some coastline data was imported into openstreetmap (Started August 2006), and people are encouraged to import any areas where coastlines are particularly interesting.
Coastlines are represented in the OSM database as ways with Tag:natural=coastline
Accuracy
This data is fairly accurate, however, there appears to be a shift in position relative to other data sources, as detailed on the PGS errata page. Also you cannot determine from the data which side is water and which side is land, and there are many gaps in the data which will need to be traced by hand.
NGA information
- PGS whitepaper - whitepaper from the NGA website
