Data are available in ecw (Enhanced Compression Wavelet) and MrSID (Multiresolution Seamless Image Database) formats which can both be opened with most image viewing/editing or GIS software such as such as Erdas ER viewer. Both formats are ultimately compressed images however the MrSID (Multiresolution Seamless Image Database) format (.sid extension) allows large compressed raster image files (such as aerial photographs or satellite imagery) to be quickly viewed without having to decompress the entire file. The data are archived in the directory structure of country/region_year/format/data for ease of use. Metadata containing location and other information (.ers, .sdw and .xml files) are included with their respective data files.