Category 9: Database Architecture and Technology Types

Summary from: Real-World Database Sources Comprehensive Document

Purpose: Classification of 310+ database sources by technical architecture, structure, and access technologies

Note: This category summarizes the technical characteristics and access methods of real-world database sources identified across all categories, organized by architecture type rather than subject matter.

9.1 Web Portals and Websites

Architecture: Traditional web-based interfaces, HTML/HTTP access

Note: Count not specified in source document - majority of sources use web portal access

Characteristics:

• Browser-accessible interfaces
• HTML forms, search interfaces, data tables
• Downloadable datasets (CSV, Excel, PDF)
• Interactive query interfaces

Examples by Category:

• Government Portals: Statistics Canada, ISED, CRA, provincial registries
• UN/International Organization Portals: UNODC, WHO, UNICEF, FAO websites
• NGO Websites: Environmental organizations, human rights organizations, conservation groups
• Indigenous Organizations: FNIGC, Native Land Digital, FirstVoices

Access Type: Web Interface Public Access Free

9.2 REST API Services

Architecture: RESTful API endpoints, JSON/XML responses

Note: Count not specified in source document - API services identified include geocoding, translation, and media services

Characteristics:

• Programmatic access via HTTP requests
• JSON or XML data formats
• API key authentication typically required
• Rate limiting and usage tiers

Examples by Category:

• Geocoding APIs: Google Maps API, GeoNames, Positionstack, OpenCage, LocationIQ
• Translation APIs: Google Translate API, Microsoft Translator API
• Media Services: Agora API, Mux API, Cloudinary API
• Backend Services: Firebase APIs (Firestore, Authentication, Functions)

Access Type: REST API API Key Required Free/Paid Tiers

9.3 Open Data Portals

Architecture: Standardized open data platforms (CKAN, Socrata, custom)

Note: Count not specified in source document - identified as access method for government data

Characteristics:

• Structured metadata (DCAT, schema.org)
• Dataset catalogs with search/filter capabilities
• Multiple download formats (CSV, JSON, XML, GeoJSON)
• API access often available

Examples:

• Government open data platforms (federal, provincial, municipal)
• International open data initiatives
• Research data repositories

Access Type: Open Data Platform Public Access Free API Available

9.4 Geographic/Spatial Databases

Architecture: Spatial databases with geographic data structures

Note: Count not specified in source document - document notes 85-95% of endpoints have geographic markers

Characteristics:

• Geographic coordinates (lat/long, UTM, etc.)
• Geospatial data formats (Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML)
• Map-based interfaces
• Spatial query capabilities

Examples by Category:

• Ecosystem Databases: GBIF, OBIS, EIMP, CABIN (with geomarkers 85-95%)
• Conservation Maps: Native Land Digital, Nature Conservancy maps
• Geocoding Services: All geocoding APIs provide spatial data
• Government Data: Statistics Canada (95-100% geomarker coverage)

Geomarker Coverage: 85-95% of endpoints have geographic markers across categories

Access Type: Spatial Database Geographic Data Map Interface

9.5 Research Repositories and Academic Databases

Architecture: Academic database systems, institutional repositories

Note: Document references university research databases with note: "Top 5 universities estimated 450,000-900,000 endpoints; Universities 6-50 estimated 2,000,000-4,000,000 endpoints"

Characteristics:

• Institutional access controls
• Research publication databases
• Metadata standards (Dublin Core, etc.)
• Citation and DOI systems

Examples:

• University research repositories (document references top 5 specifically: Guelph, UBC, Toronto, Alberta, Saskatchewan)
• Academic research databases
• Institutional repositories

Access Type: Research Repository Institutional Access Academic

9.6 Commercial Database Systems

Architecture: Commercial database platforms, proprietary systems

Note: Document lists 3+ commercial/trade databases

Characteristics:

• Subscription-based access
• Proprietary data formats
• Business intelligence interfaces
• API access for enterprise customers

Examples:

• Trade databases (UN Comtrade, WITS, ImportGenius, Panjiva)
• Business directories
• Commercial data providers

Access Type: Commercial Platform Paid/Subscription Proprietary

9.7 Interactive Map Services

Architecture: Web-based mapping interfaces, tile services

Note: Count not specified in source document - identified as access method for geographic data

Characteristics:

• Interactive web maps
• Tile-based map services
• Layer-based data visualization
• Embeddable map widgets

Examples:

• Native Land Digital interactive maps
• Conservation organization maps (Nature Conservancy, WWF)
• Government mapping portals

Access Type: Interactive Map Web Interface Public Access

9.8 Summary by Technology Type

Total Sources: 310+ unique database sources (from source document)

Documented Access Methods (from source document):

• Government Portals: Statistics Canada, ISED, CRA, provincial registries
• UN/International Organization Portals: UNODC, WHO, UNICEF, FAO
• NGO Websites: Environmental organizations, human rights organizations
• University Research Repositories: Academic research databases
• API Endpoints: REST APIs, GraphQL, service endpoints
• Interactive Maps: Native Land Digital, conservation organization maps
• Open Data Portals: Government open data platforms
• Commercial Databases: Trade databases, business directories
• Third-Party APIs: MapQuest, Agora, Mux, Cloudinary
• Translation Services: Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, TranslatorMind, OpenL Translate

Key Technical Characteristics (from source document):

• Geomarker Coverage: 85-95% of endpoints have geographic markers
• Total Endpoints (Conservative): ~76.88-60.76 million
• Total Endpoints (Moderate): ~185.23-231.48 million
• Total Endpoints (High): ~325.2-384.2 million

Note: Technology type distribution percentages are not provided in the source document. The document organizes sources by subject category rather than technical architecture.

For complete listing of all database sources with detailed technical specifications, see the full document: REAL_WORLD_DATABASE_SOURCES_COMPREHENSIVE_2025-12-27.md

This page is a summary of Category 9 content from the Real-World Database Sources document, classifying database sources by technical architecture and technology types rather than subject matter.