---
id: basemap-data
version: "2.0.0"
license: LGPL-3.0-or-later
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: active
---

# basemap-data — Data assets for matplotlib basemap

License: copyleft · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 97.7K/mo

## What it is and what it does

basemap-data is a data-only support package that bundles geographic datasets needed by the basemap library. It contains coastline, political boundary, lake, river, and land-sea mask data extracted from the GSHHG dataset (version 2.3.6) via GMT, plus EPSG coordinate reference system definitions. The package itself provides no Python API; instead, it installs data files that basemap consults at runtime to render map projections with geographic features.

This is a pure-data package with zero runtime dependencies, designed to be installed alongside basemap to enable map visualization in matplotlib. It targets scientific and educational users who need to plot data on geographic map projections with accurate coastlines and political boundaries.

Use it for:

- Installing as a dependency when setting up basemap for plotting data on map projections with coastlines
- Providing geographic boundary and coastline data for cartographic visualization in scientific research
- Supporting educational applications that require accurate political and geographic boundaries in matplotlib plots
- Enabling GIS-style map rendering in data analysis workflows that use basemap for geospatial visualization

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides geographic data assets (coastlines, political boundaries, land-sea masks) required by the basemap library to render map projections in matplotlib.

Yes, if you are using basemap for map projections in matplotlib. This is a required data package with no alternatives; install it as a dependency of basemap rather than standalone. Low friction, actively maintained, and free of known vulnerabilities. The copyleft license (LGPL-3.0-or-later on geographic data) is standard for such datasets and poses no practical barrier for most users.

## Install

pip install basemap-data
uv add basemap-data
poetry add basemap-data

## Installing basemap-data

Before you install: Low install friction with a pure Python wheel distribution. Actively maintained as of 2026-05-04 with stable production status.

License in practice: Dual-licensed under LGPL-3.0-or-later (for GSHHG-derived geographic data) and MIT (for other assets including EPSG data). Copyleft treatment means derivative works must comply with LGPL terms; MIT portions have no such restriction.

Quickstart:

pip install basemap-data

# basemap-data provides data files; typical use requires basemap package
# which imports and uses these assets internally

Requires Python 3.9 or later (supports_current); intended as a dependency of basemap rather than direct use

Verify before relying:

- Whether basemap itself is installed separately or whether this package can be used standalone
- The exact size and disk footprint of the installed data assets
- Whether the GSHHG version 2.3.6 data is current for typical cartographic use cases

## Package facts

- License: LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 97.7K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

basemap data assets, map coastlines boundaries, geographic visualization data, matplotlib map projections, GIS map data, cartographic data files, basemap support package, geographic-data, cartography, basemap-support

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/basemap-data) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/basemap-data/)