Illustrated Glossary, Census year 2011

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. 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 subdivision - previous census
• Census tract
• Census consolidated subdivision
• Core, fringe and rural area
• Designated place
• Dissemination area
• Dissemination block
• Economic region
• Federal electoral district
• Geographical region of Canada
• Place name
• Population centre
• Province or territory
• Rural area

Other terms

• Abbreviations
• Administrative areas
• Adjusted counts
• Block-face
• Cartographic boundary files
• Census metropolitan influenced zones
• Coordinate system
• Datum
• Digital boundary files
• Ecumene
• Geocoding
• Geographic code
• Geographic reference date
• Geographic units table
• Hierarchy of standard geographic units
• Land area
• Map projection
• National Geographic Database
• Population density
• Postal code
• Reference map
• Representative point
• Road network file
• Spatial Data Infrastructure
• Spatial data quality elements
• Standard Geographical Classification
• Statistical Area Classification
• Statistical areas
• Thematic map