# Check Extent

This FGDC conformance check determines if a valid Bounding Extent (a spatial extent) and Temporal Extent have been provided. The metadata file must contain both a spatial extent *and* a temporal extent in order to pass this conformance check.

This conformance check will also calculate the percent Bounding Extent coverage of the continental US. 

## Bounding Extent Best Practices

The following attributes must be populated to have a valid Spatial Extent:

### West Coordinate

#### ISO 19115
*//gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:westBoundLongitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

#### ISO 19115-3
*//gex:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gex:westBoundLongitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

### East Coordinate

#### ISO 19115
*//gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:eastBoundLongitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

#### ISO 19115-3
*//gex:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gex:eastBoundLongitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

### North Coordinate

#### ISO 19115
*//gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:northBoundLatitude/gco:Decimal/text()*
#### ISO 19115-3
*//gex:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:northBoundLatitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

### South Coordinate

#### ISO 19115

*//gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:southBoundLatitude/gco:Decimal/text()*
#### ISO 19115-3

*//gex:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gex:southBoundLatitude/gco:Decimal/text()*

## Temporal Extent Best Practices

### Beginning

#### ISO 19115
*//gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:beginPosition/text()*

#### ISO 19115-3
*//gex:EX_TemporalExtent/gex:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:beginPosition/text()*

### End

#### ISO 19115
*//gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:endPosition/text()*

#### ISO 19115-3
*//gex:EX_TemporalExtent/gex:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:endPosition/text()*

## More Information

[FGDC Technical Guidance: Data.gov and The GeoPlatform Metadata Recommendations](https://www.fgdc.gov/technical-guidance/metadata/fgdc-technical-guidance-datagov-geoplatform-ngda.pdf)