Publications
Geography Catalogue
Census year 2011
4. Maps
Reference Maps – 2011 Census
Thematic Maps
GeoSearch
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Reference Maps
Reference maps illustrate the location of 2011 Census standard geographic areas for which 2011 Census statistical data are tabulated and disseminated. The maps display the boundaries, names and unique identifiers of standard geographic areas, as well as major cultural and physical features, such as streets, railroads, coastlines, rivers and lakes.
Over 10,000 reference maps are available for the 2011 Census. Given the diversity in size of geographic areas, different map scales and map coverages are required to show the appropriate level of detail. Descriptions of each series are provided below.
The 2011 Census Reference Maps, where applicable, contain embedded links enabling users to link between different maps, as is the case with 2006 Census Reference Maps.
To learn more details about reference and thematic maps, please consult the Reference Maps and Thematic Maps, Reference Guide, available on the Statistics Canada website.
National Reference Maps
For the 2011 Census, four national maps are available showing the location of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, census divisions, economic regions and census divisions, and Statistical Area Classification.
Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations
This map shows the general location of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations within each province and territory, with larger dots designating census metropolitan areas and smaller dots designating census agglomerations. The map also lists, both alphabetically and by order of unique identifier, the names of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, by province and territory.
The National Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations Reference Map PDF file contains embedded links. Census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations link to their respective census tract by census metropolitan area or census agglomeration map, which subsequently link to respective dissemination area by census tract maps.
Census Divisions
This map displays census division boundaries and unique identifiers within each province and territory, on a background of major lakes and rivers. The map also lists the census division names by order of census division unique identifier, by province and territory.
Economic Regions and Census Divisions
This map displays economic region and census division boundaries and unique identifiers within each province and territory. The map also lists, by province and territory, the economic region names by order of economic region unique identifier, within which their component census division unique identifiers and names are numerically listed.
Census metropolitan influenced zones (MIZs), census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs) Statistical Area Classification
This map displays census subdivisions classified by colour according to the category of the Statistical Area Classification to which they are assigned. The categories include: component of a census metropolitan area or census agglomeration, component of a census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (strongly influenced, moderately influenced, weakly influenced or not influenced), or component of the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 12-572-X | Bilingual | November 22, 2011 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| 4 | 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981 |
Census Division and Census Subdivision Reference Maps
The set of Census Division and Census Subdivision Reference Maps covers all of Canada, by province and territory. The maps display boundaries, names and unique identifiers of census divisions (e.g., counties and regional districts) and census subdivisions (e.g., cities, towns, villages, other local municipal entities, townships and Indian reserves). The maps also display boundaries of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.
Figure 4.1 Index map for census division and census subdivision reference maps
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 12-572-X | Bilingual | November 22, 2011 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| 23 | 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981 |
Census Tract Reference Maps, by Census Metropolitan Areas or Census Agglomerations
The Census Tract Reference Maps, by Census Metropolitan Areas or Census Agglomerations cover all census metropolitan areas and the census agglomerations in the census tract program. The maps display boundaries and names of census tracts and census subdivisions, designated places and their names, as well as core, secondary core, fringe and rural areas within census metropolitan areas or census agglomerations. There are more than one hundred individual maps in this series, inset maps are available to show detail for the more concentrated areas. The maps also display street network and other visible features such as railroads, rivers and lakes. The maps vary in scale and size. Embedded links enable users to link to respective dissemination area by census tract maps when viewing the maps on the Internet.
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-146-X | Bilingual | February 8, 2012 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| 120 | 2011, 2006, 2001 |
Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Census Tracts, for Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations
The Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Census Tract, for Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations cover all census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations that are part of the census tract program. Each map in the series covers one census tract and displays the boundaries and unique identifiers of dissemination areas within a census tract. There are more than 5,700 individual maps in the series. Inset maps are available to show detail for the more concentrated areas. The maps display census tract, census subdivision, and census metropolitan area or census agglomeration boundaries along with street network and other visible features such as railroads, rivers and lakes.
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-147-X | Bilingual | February 8, 2012 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| 5,799 | 2011, 2006, 2001 |
Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Non-tracted Census Agglomerations
The Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Non-tracted Census Agglomerations cover census agglomerations that are not part of the census tract program. Each map in the series covers one census agglomeration and displays the boundaries and unique identifiers of dissemination areas, designated places and their names, core, fringe and rural areas, within a census agglomeration. There are more than 250 individual maps in this series, inset maps are available to show detail for the more concentrated areas. The maps also display census subdivision boundaries with street network and other visible features such as railroads, rivers and lakes.
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-148-X | Bilingual | February 8, 2012 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| 251 | 2011, 2006, 2001 |
Figure 4.6 Example of a dissemination area reference map by non-tracted census agglomerations
Figure 4.7 Detail from a dissemination area reference map by non-tracted census agglomerations
Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Census Subdivisions, for areas outside Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations
The Dissemination Area Reference Maps, by Census Subdivisions, for areas outside Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations cover areas outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations. Each map in this series covers one census subdivision and displays the boundaries and unique identifiers of dissemination areas, designated places and their names, as well as population centres and rural areas within a census subdivision. There are more than 4,300 individual maps in this series. The maps also display census subdivision boundaries with street network and other visible features such as railroads, rivers and lakes.
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-145-X | Bilingual | February 8, 2012 |
| 2011 formats | Number of files | Censuses |
| 4,324 | 2011, 2006, 2001 |
Thematic Maps
A thematic map focuses on the spatial variability of a specific distribution or theme (such as population density or average annual income) for standard geographic areas, whereas a reference map focuses on the location and names of geographic features. Thematic maps normally include some location or reference information to help users familiarize themselves with the geographic area covered on the map.
Thematic maps are available to provide a visual overview of 2011 Census statistical data presented in an analytical paper.
Thematic maps, as PDF files, are available to accompany the following 2011 Census releases:
| 2011 Census theme | Release date |
|---|---|
| Population and dwelling counts | February 8, 2012 |
| Age and Sex | May 29, 2012 |
| Families, households and marital status; Structural type of dwelling and collectives | September 19, 2012 |
| Language | October 24, 2012 |
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-173-XIE | English | Beginning February 8, 2012 |
| 92-173-XIF | French | Beginning February 8, 2012 |
GeoSearch
This interactive mapping application makes it easy to find many places in Canada, see them on a map, and get basic geographic and demographic data for those places. To find a specific place of interest, users can click and zoom in on a map of Canada or they can search by place name, street name, street intersection or postal code. GeoSearch displays the appropriate map showing boundaries and other features. GeoSearch automatically shows, for the selected places, the type of geographic area and its relationship to other geographic areas. A thematic mapping option is also available for selected census topics (for selected levels of geography). GeoSearch also includes links to 2011 Census reference maps.
New functionality for 2011 allows users to view data for more than one geographic area at a time and automatically display additional census data for each selected geographic area (including population and dwelling counts). It also includes improved search capabilities and allows users to display two types of geographic boundaries at the same time.
| Catalogue number | Language | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 92-142-XWE | English | February 8, 2012 |
| 92-142-XWF | French | February 8, 2012 |
| 2011 format | Number of files | Censuses |
| Internet application | N/A | 2011, 2006, 2001 |
Figure 4.9 View of GeoSearch 2011 on the Statistics Canada website
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