import geopandas as gpd gdf = gpd.read_file("gadm36_FRA_1.shp") # or gdf = gpd.read_file("gadm36_FRA.gpkg", layer="ADM_ADM_1") | Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | .prj missing, coordinate system unknown | Manually set CRS to EPSG:4326 (WGS84). | | Attribute text looks garbled (e.g., “Côte”) | Encoding issue. Open Shapefile with UTF-8 or use .cpg file. In QGIS, set “Data source encoding” to UTF-8. | | Multiple files for Level 0, 1, 2 – which one to use? | Use gadm36_COUNTRYCODE_0.shp for borders, _1 for states, _2 for districts. GeoPackage contains all layers. | | Cannot dissolve internal boundaries (e.g., show only country outline) | Use Vector → Geoprocessing → Dissolve on Level 1 features, or simply re-load Level 0. | | File size too big for memory | Use GeoPackage with spatial indexing, or filter by attribute before loading. | Step 4: Making GADM 3.6 Work for Advanced Use Cases 4.1 Extracting Only One Administrative Level If you downloaded the whole world GeoPackage (~2.5 GB), you can extract only Level 1 for the Americas:
Whether you are a student, researcher, or GIS professional, GADM 3.6 remains a gold standard. Bookmark this article and refer to the troubleshooting table whenever a downloaded file refuses to behave. Leave a comment or check the official GADM user forum. For automated scripts that download and process GADM 3.6 for multiple countries, see my follow-up post linked below. download gadm data version 36 work
If you work with global administrative boundaries—whether for spatial analysis, cartography, or data visualization—you have likely encountered the Database of Global Administrative Areas (GADM) . As of this writing, GADM version 3.6 is the latest stable release. However, many users struggle not only with locating the correct download link but also with getting the data to "work" properly in their software of choice (QGIS, ArcGIS, R, Python). import geopandas as gpd gdf = gpd
This article is a complete guide to and ensuring it functions correctly in your projects. What Is GADM Version 3.6? GADM is a high-resolution spatial database of country and lower-level administrative boundaries (states, provinces, districts, etc.). Version 3.6, released in 2022–2023, includes updates to boundaries for dozens of countries, corrected geometries, and improved attribute naming consistency. In QGIS, set “Data source encoding” to UTF-8
import sqlite3 conn = sqlite3.connect("gadm36_levels.gpkg") sub = gpd.read_file(conn, layer="level_1", bbox=(-130, 20, -60, 60)) GADM 3.6 works in WGS84, but for area calculation or European mapping, reproject: