This paper reviews three readily available cartographical databases (DBs), the Digital Chart of the World (DCW), the World Vector Shoreline (WVS) and 30 Arc-Second DCW Digital Elevation Models (DEM) all originating from the US Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). These are presumed strong candidates as cartographical data sources for strategic needs at several Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) centers. While most cartographical themes found within these DBs are of acceptable quality, some themes definitively needs improvement. No known substitutes to these are known to the author. An approach is being suggested to overcome these inadequacies. Furthermore, the data quality part of the US Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) is being briefly summarized with the aim to stress the importance of data quality reporting within the UNEP/CGIAR project when data sets are created.

Tags: data