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.
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) download gadm data version 36 work
Downloading and Working with GADM Data Version 3.6 GADM (Global Administrative Areas) is a high-resolution spatial database providing administrative boundaries for all countries and their subdivisions. While newer versions exist, Version 3.6 remains widely used in academic research and historical GIS analysis for its comprehensive and standardized administrative levels. Where to Download GADM 3.6 Data
To access Version 3.6, you must navigate to the GADM Old Versions page. From there, you have two primary options for obtaining the data:
By Country (Recommended): This is the most efficient method if you only need data for specific regions. You can select a country from an alphabetical list and download its boundaries in various formats.
Whole World: For global analysis, you can download the entire world as a single database. Note that these files are very large and may take significant time to download. Available Data Formats
Version 3.6 data is available in several formats to suit different software needs: Download GADM data (version 3.6)
Although the current stable release of the Global Administrative Areas (GADM) GADM version 3
database is version 4.1, many researchers and GIS professionals still require Version 3.6
for consistency in long-term projects or historical comparisons. Step 1: Access the Version 3.6 Download Page GADM maintains a dedicated section for its legacy data. GADM Old Versions page to find direct links for Version 3.6. You can choose between two main download methods: By Country (Recommended): GADM Country Download (v3.6)
portal to select a specific nation and download its administrative boundaries directly. Entire World: Access the World Download (v3.6)
page for the full global dataset. Note that these are very large files (e.g., 405MB for a single geodatabase) and may take significant time to download. Step 2: Choose Your File Format
GADM 3.6 is available in several formats compatible with various software: GeoPackage The current standard format, suitable for Shapefile (.shp): The traditional format used by most GIS software. R Spatial Objects (.rds):
Specifically formatted for use in the R programming language. Google Earth (.kmz): For viewing boundaries directly in Google Earth Step 3: Programmatic and Automation Options Shapefile (
For users working in data science environments, version 3.6 can be accessed via scripts: Download GADM data (version 3.6)
Attributes commonly included:
If GADM 3.6 data is integral to your published work (paper, report, app):
Downloading and working with GADM version 3.6 is straightforward once you know where to find the legacy files and how to handle common format quirks. By following this guide – verifying integrity, choosing GeoPackage, and correctly loading the data – you can reliably use GADM v3.6 for mapping, spatial analysis, and research. The data remains a gold standard for administrative boundaries, especially in environments where newer GADM versions (4.x) break backward compatibility.
If you encounter a problem not covered here, check the gadm36 tag on Stack Overflow or the R-sig-geo mailing list – the user community for v3.6 is still very active.