Documentation
Learn how to explore, discover, and analyze geospatial data across West Africa with our comprehensive platform guide.
Welcome to West Africa GeoPortal
Your gateway to exploring rich geospatial data from across West Africa. This powerful tool helps you visualize, analyze, and understand spatial patterns and relationships through an intuitive, web-based interface. Currently covering Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mali.
Getting Started
- Access: Simply visit our website - no registration required
- Default View: Opens with an overview of West African countries
- Quick Start: Use the search bar to find locations or browse by country
- Visualize multiple layers of geographic data
- Search for specific locations and features
- Analyze spatial patterns and relationships
- Download data in multiple formats
Finding Data
Access our comprehensive data collection through the country and layer selection panel on the map page.
Browse by Category
Adding Data to Your Map
- 1Select a country from the sidebar
- 2Browse available layers by category
- 3Toggle the checkbox to add/remove layers
- 4Click the info icon to view layer metadata
- 5Layers appear on the map with automatic styling
Working with Layers
Understanding Layer Types
Layer Management
- Toggle visibility with a single click
- View feature information by clicking on the map
- Automatic color coding for easy differentiation
- Access detailed metadata for each layer
- Multiple layer support for comparative analysis
Downloading Data
Export geospatial data in multiple formats for use in other applications and GIS software.
How to Download
- 1Enable at least one layer on the map
- 2Click the Download button in the toolbar
- 3Select the layers you want to export
- 4Choose your preferred format (GeoJSON, CSV, or Shapefile)
- 5Click Download to save the file
Tips for Effective Use
- 1Start with the search function to find areas of interest
- 2Select a country from the sidebar
- 3Add 2-3 relevant layers for comparison
- 4Click features to discover details
- 1Combine related datasets (e.g., rivers with settlements)
- 2Use zoom levels for appropriate detail
- 3Access metadata for data source information
- 4Download data for offline analysis in GIS software
- Load only the layers you need for your analysis
- Clear unused layers when switching between areas
- Use appropriate zoom levels for your analysis scope
- The platform automatically optimizes data loading
Key Features
- Clean, modern design focused on your data
- Logical workflow from discovery to analysis
- Responsive layout works on all devices
- Multiple data categories and themes
- Coverage across 6 West African countries
- Metadata for informed decision making
- Automatic styling for immediate understanding
- Flexible layer combinations
- High-performance rendering with MapLibre
- Draw points, lines, and polygons
- Measure distances and areas
- Export your drawings with the data
Getting Help
Quick Solutions
Map not loading?
Check your internet connection and refresh the page.
Layers not showing?
Ensure they're toggled on in the sidebar and you're at an appropriate zoom level.
Search not working?
Try a different search term or check your spelling.
Performance issues?
Try reducing active layers or zooming in to a smaller area.
Need More Assistance?
Contact our support team for technical issues or suggest new datasets and features through our feedback system. Visit the About page for contact information.
Accessibility
- Works on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones
- Compatible with all modern browsers
- Responsive design adapts to your screen size
- Keyboard navigation support
- High contrast visual elements
- Screen reader compatible
- Zoom-friendly interface
Start exploring now - discover the power of spatial data at your fingertips. The platform is constantly evolving with new data and features, so check back regularly for updates.