!new! Download — Gadm Data Version 36 Work
GADM version 3.6 (released May 6, 2018) is a foundational dataset for spatial analysis, delimiting 386,735 administrative areas worldwide. While newer versions like 4.1 exist, 3.6 remains widely used due to its stable GID identifier system, which was specifically fixed in this release after errors in version 3.4. How to Download Version 3.6
You can access the data through several official and community-supported channels:
Official Global Download: The entire world can be downloaded as a single GeoPackage or Shapefile from the GADM version 3.6 world page.
Country-Specific Downloads: For faster downloads, GADM recommends selecting individual countries from their v3.6 country list. download gadm data version 36 work
R Programming: Use the geodata package and the gadm() function to pull data directly into your workspace. A Story: The Map that Fixed the "Broken" World
Before May 2018, researchers were in a bind. GADM version 3.4 had been released with a significant flaw: the internal ID codes (GIDs) were inconsistent, making it nearly impossible for scientists to "join" their data (like population or disease stats) to the correct map areas without manual errors.
The release of Version 3.6 was the "hero" moment for the GIS community. It introduced a persistent GID system (e.g., AFG.1.1_1) that ensured even if a province split in two, the old code wouldn't be reused—preserving the integrity of historical research. Organizations like Global Forest Watch relied on this version for years to track deforestation across specific political boundaries. It became the "gold standard" for academic and non-commercial use, even as it faced the challenge of being a volunteer-driven project without official government validation. Common Challenges with 3.6 Download GADM data (version 3.6) GADM version 3
Filter level 1 (provinces)
provinces = gdf_all[gdf_all["LEVEL"] == 1]
Part 2: Working with the Data
Once you have downloaded the data (usually compressed as a .zip or .7z file), you need to extract and load it.
Part 2: Where and How to Download GADM Data Version 3.6
The official source is gadm.org. However, the download interface changed after version 3.6. Here is how to get GADM 3.6 specifically. Chapter 2: The Archive Hunt Finding older versions
Tips and caveats
- Licensing: check GADM’s license and citation requirements before redistribution or publication.
- Versioning: v3.6 is a snapshot—boundaries change over time. For longitudinal work, record the version used.
- File sizes: whole-world shapefiles and gpkg can be very large; prefer country-level downloads when possible.
- Attribute consistency: field names can differ across admin levels; inspect the attribute table before scripting joins.
Chapter 2: The Archive Hunt
Finding older versions on data portals can often feel like trying to find a specific book in a library with no card catalog. Thankfully, GADM respects the archivist in all of us.
I found the link labeled "Old Versions" or sometimes listed directly under the downloads tab as "Version 3.6". I clicked through.
Note: This is a critical step. If you just hit the main "Download" button on the homepage, you are downloading the latest version. To get 3.6, you must actively select the archived branch.
Once on the version 3.6 page, the format looked familiar. The header confirmed: GADM version 3.6 - Data download.