How To Make Geographical Information System (1)

Introduction to Geospatial Data

brewmaster
newworld-kim
4 min readFeb 1, 2023

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Photo by oxana v on Unsplash

Geospatial data is associated with a specific location or place on the Earth's surface. It encompasses various information, including satellite imagery, maps, and geographical information systems (GIS). This post introduces geospatial data, including its definition and importance.

It can take many forms. For example, it can provide a wide range of information about a location, including land use, topography, and natural resources. This type of data is crucial for understanding the Earth's surface and the features that exist within it.

It is crucial in various industries and applications, including urban planning, environmental management, and emergency response. It allows decision-makers to make informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date information about a location. Additionally, geospatial data provides insights into the relationships between different geographical features, such as the relationship between a city and its surrounding rural areas.

Geospatial data is a critical study area due to its relevance to various industries and applications. Therefore, understanding the geospatial data definition is vital to making informed decisions and understanding our world better. In addition, the ongoing development of geospatial technology provides new opportunities to gain insights into the Earth's surface and features, further increasing the relevance and importance of geospatial data.

Photo by deck.gl

What is Vector Map?

In the field of geospatial data, Vector Maps are important tools for representing geographical features. Vector Maps are a type of map that represent geographical features as mathematical descriptions, rather than pixels or raster images. Vector Maps can be used to represent points, lines, and polygon areas on a map. The mathematical descriptions used in vector maps make them scalable, meaning that they can be easily resized without losing quality.

More specifically, Vector Maps have several advantages over other types of maps. For example, because Vector Maps are scalable, they are well-suited to applications that require high-quality maps at different scales, such as online maps or mobile maps. Additionally, because vector maps are based on mathematical descriptions, they can be easily edited and updated, making them ideal for applications that require the ability to manipulate geographical data.

Vector maps are created using a variety of tools. These tools allow users to create, edit and manipulate geographical data in a variety of formats. The process of creating a vector map typically involves defining geographical features using points, lines, and polygonal areas, and then linking these features to the underlying data.

Vector maps are used in a wide range of applications, including urban planning, environmental management, and emergency response. For example, vector maps can be used to represent the locations of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure within a city. They can also be used to represent geographical features such as rivers, lakes, and forests. In addition to their use in geographic information systems (GIS), vector maps are also commonly used in web mapping and mobile mapping applications.

Photo by nvidia automotive

Representing Geographical Features with Points, Lines, and Polygons

Points

  • Points represent individual locations on a map, such as cities, landmarks, or points of interest.
  • They are typically represented as small symbols or markers on the map and can be used to convey information about the location, such as its name or type of feature.
  • For example, points can be used to represent the locations of schools, hospitals, or other critical infrastructure.

Lines

  • Lines are used to representing linear features on a map, such as roads, rivers, or coastlines.
  • They can be used to convey information about the location and characteristics of the feature, such as its length, width, or direction.
  • For example, lines can be used to represent the route of a road or the flow of a river.

Polygons

  • Polygons represent areas on a map, such as countries, lakes, or regions.
  • They can convey information about the location and characteristics of the feature, such as its size, shape, or surrounding parts.
  • For example, polygons can represent the boundaries of a country or the outline of a lake.
Image by sylordotorg.github.io

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