Urban Area Boundary Files - ARCHIVED

The Urban Area Boundary Files portray the urban area boundaries for which 2006 Census data are disseminated. An urban area has a minimum population concentration of 1,000 persons and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre, based on the current census population count. The files contain the boundaries of all 895 urban areas defined for the 2006 Census.

There are two types of boundary files: digital and cartographic. Digital files depict the full extent of the geographical areas, including the coastal water area. Cartographic files depict the geographical areas using only the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. The files provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis using commercially available geographic information systems (GIS) or other mapping software. They are positionally consistent with the 2006 Road Network File, which can provide additional geographic context for mapping applications.

The Urban Area Boundary Files are in latitude/longitude coordinates and are based on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). A reference guide is available (92-160-GWE).