``Geographic`` is the right word for graphic presentation -- maps -- of features 
and phenomena on or near the Earth’s surface. ``Geospatial, `` (or ``spatial``) 
also refers to data about Earth features and phenomena, but the data are not 
necessarily graphically presented. Many geoprocessing applications do not involve a 
human-readable map on a display. ``GIS`` (Geographic Information System) is just 
one of many technologies used to create, manage, store, analyze and display 
geospatial data. ``Geoprocessing,`` is more inclusive, referring to GIS and also to 
systems for Earth imaging, navigation, facilities management, digital cartography, 
Location Based Services, spatial database operations, and surveying and mapping. 
The free geo spatial data is necessary because cooperation is necessary to solve 
the difficult interoperability issues in the geospatial marketplace. Some user 
needs, such as the need to share and reuse geodata in order to decrease costs, get 
more or better information, and increase the value of data holdings, can only be 
addressed by cooperation among technology users and providers. This paper describes 
about the importance of the free geospatial data for developing countries like 
India.

Geodata can be potentially any information that describes the location of something 
in physical space. Geodata can be literal images of spatial things – aerial 
photographs taken from specially rigged aero planes, or satellite imagery taken 
from 'earth observation' satellites. Geodata can be cartographic images that are 
designed to look like things in physical space, emphasizing certain 'features' that 
are most useful to the intended user of the map – street maps for cities, or 
contour maps for exploring the countryside. Geodata can be your location as 
measured by the Global Positioning System (GPS); geodata can be your address; 
geodata can be any kind of information that has a “spatial component”.This geo 
spatial data is very use full for to developing the all sectors like water 
resources, transportation, telecommunication and electrical. Most countries have 
a “National Mapping Agency” (NMA) that collects and manages geodata on behalf of 
different government departments. All the mapping agencies are made collaboration 
with research institution, research centers and industries for sharing the 
geospatial data and innovative ideas. Due to this collaboration optimal solution of 
the particular problem is evaluated. The Open Geodata Manifesto talks about the 
social and economic reasons why open access to geodata should be considered a 
right, not a privilege. Ultimately, all state-collected information should be 
openly available, in a structured machine-readable format. Because there weren't 
standards really designed for collecting data from a lot of different, potentially 
unreliable sources, Open street map had to create its own. As the industry 
standards bodies wake up to the new things that people want to do with maps and 
geodata, their own standards are improving, changing in ways that make it easier 
for people to write software to share geodata between each other. To building the 
open and free geospatial data will help the development of all kinds of 
infrastructure in developing country.