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Illustrated Glossary

Geography is important to the national statistical system. Well-defined geographic areas provide the framework for the collection, presentation and analysis of data.

To take full advantage of Census data, users need to have a basic understanding of the terms related to geography concepts, infrastructure, products and services. To explore geographical definitions and concepts, use the alphabetical listing or a hierarchy chart.

Geographic units

• Census agglomeration
• Census agricultural region
• Census division
• Census metropolitan area
• Census subdivision
• Census tract
• Census consolidated subdivision
• Designated place
• Dissemination area
• Dissemination block
• Economic region
• Federal electoral district
• Locality
• Place name
• Province/territory
• Rural area
• Urban area
• Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe

Products and services

• Cartographic boundary files
• Catalogue
• Custom services
• Dictionary
• Digital boundary files
• Geographic attribute file
• GeoSearch
• GeoSuite
• Population and dwellings counts
• Reference maps
• Road network files
• Road network and geographic attribute file
• Thematic maps

Other terms

• Abbreviations
• Administrative areas
• Adjusted counts
• Block-face
• Census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zones
• Coordinate system
• Datum
• Ecumene
• Geocoding
• Geographic code
• Geographic reference date
• Hierarchy of standard geographic units
• Land area
• Map projection
• National geographic database
• Population density
• Postal code
• Representative point
• Spatial data infrastructure
• Spatial data quality elements
• Standard geographical classification
• Statistical areas
• Statistical area classification
• Urban population size group
• Usual place of residence
• Workplace location