EDUCBA

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Explore
    • Lifetime Membership
    • All in One Bundles
    • Fresh Entries
    • Finance
    • Data Science
    • Programming and Dev
    • Excel
    • Marketing
    • HR
    • PDP
    • VFX and Design
    • Project Management
    • Exam Prep
    • All Courses
  • Blog
  • Enterprise
  • Free Courses
  • Log in
  • Sign up
Home Data Science Data Science Tutorials GIS Tutorial What is Spatial Data

What is Spatial Data

Priya Pedamkar
Article byPriya Pedamkar

Updated February 28, 2023

What is Spatial Data

Introduction to Spatial Data

The data set that is used to analyze the past as well as to work on analytics is known as Spatial Data. Spatial Data is limited to simple spreadsheet level information, but it also comprises imagery from Satellites and Drones, addresses data points, and longitudinal and latitudinal data.

Start Your Free Data Science Course

Hadoop, Data Science, Statistics & others

Primarily Spatial Data is classified as Vector Data and Raster Data. Vector Data consists of Coordinates information, while Raster Data is all about layers of imageries extracted from camera sensors. Spatial data that belongs to geographical and geological information is known as geospatial data. Relational Database Management Systems handle these geospatial data, and they are called as GIS Databases.

Types of Spatial Data

Spatial Data is mainly classified into two types, i.e. Vector data and Raster data.

1. Vector Data

Vector Data is the data portrayed in points, lines and It can be represented in two dimensional and two-dimensional models depending on the coordinates used. Vector Data in GIS is used to feed in information with the help of coordinates and to visualize the address points & places of interest, lines for the rivers, roads, railways, ferry routes and even major pipeline flows, polygons, on the other hand, are used to showcase inland water bodies like lakes, buildings, etc.

  • Points: A single dot on the layer depicts them. It can be either x or y or z coordinate.
  • Lines: This form of vector data is depicted using two coordinates, i.e. either x coordinate – y coordinate or inverse of this. This featurehas a defined length, and also, it doesn’t have the width because of the two-dimensional model.
  • Polygon: The feature is depicted using 3 or more than 3 coordinates. This form of vector data is generally used when any area is defined.

What is Spatial Data1

Image Source Link: https://support.pitneybowes.com/SearchArticles/

2. Raster Data

Raster Data is all about multilayered map images from satellites, drones and various other camera sensors. The data stored is in cell-based and colour pixel format. These are pixels that are arranged in columns and rows format. The data is in .jpg, .png, bit map, .tif and .bmp. The Raster Data in GIS is very much efficient for visualization and analysis that is barely possible in Vector Based data. Unlike Vector Data, the Raster form of GIS data is large and complex to manage due to richer qualities.

What is Spatial Data2

Source Links:https://www.gislounge.com/styling-vector-and-raster-data-mastering-qgis/

Use of Spatial Data in GIS

  • The Spatial Data is collected from various camera sources, drones, satellite, sensors and geological field workers. Vector Data is mostly about address points, lines and polygons. Attributional values and georeferenced coding is done on all the features. All the attributes are as per organizational Standardized Operating Procedures, also known as SOPs. There are many geological concepts and logic involved while adding the attributional data in the features.
  • GIS Technicians, GIS Analysts and GIS Developers work together in the process known as Geocoding. For example, features like address points, roads, rivers and even polygonal features like lakes are fed with all the attributional information like name, length, width and even some extra parameters if needed.
  • The data is integrated into a conjunction with the longitudinal and latitudinal information depending on the placement. The vector form of data is always added after being referred to and validated with the specific Raster data.
  • Any of the Spatial data is processed through GIS software where it can be analyzed, manipulated and visualized perfectly as per an individual’s or organization’s requirement. Based on Raster data that is available in the GIS system, GIS Technicians start the leftover or half-cooked map and complete all the geocoding by referring to the metrics available. While geocoding and referencing, Technicians also make a note of the parameters like longitudinal, latitudinal values and even the extra information like name, length and width.
  • The integrated data is then saved in the RDBMS, and so that same can be used to understand the problem statement related to earth. 3D models nowadays are used to coordinate systems to portray business problems in a more granular way. For dealing with 3D Models, Organizations are also involving VFX and graphics experts with higher-end knowledge in various animation tools.

Advantages of Using Spatial Data

Now let’s look at some of the advantages:

  • With timely updates on the data sets, the organisation can easily perform analysis and analytics.
  • Updated information can be rolled out to the consumers promptly.
  • The spatial databases store both vector and raster data, hence it can be used to tackle the maximum amount of business problems.
  • The blend of both vector and raster data produces a powerful product that can tackle various economic and earth-related problems.
  • Spatial data, when combined with non-spatial data like information on soil, the population of the city, can become a rich source of knowledge.
  • With the help of available information, Decision making and strategic planning can be done thoroughly.
  • The data is corrected and updated regularly, and hence the chance of analyzing erroneous data from the system is very low.
  • Spatial data can be integrated with various other technologies like LIDAR to create various models.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things when it comes to Geospatial data and their characteristics. All the things can’t be written down in a single document to understand the true potential. One has to perform some activities in practical life to understand things. There is so much in the world of GIS that is still unexplored due to its underdog nature in the market. Like its domain, the spatial data is also underrated and hardly any organization even try to make use of that data. Many GIS organizations prefer refreshing their spatial data by taking surveys from their consumers themselves. They value the data that is flowed in their system, whether it be the consumer or the field workers.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to What is Spatial Data. Here we discuss the introduction to Spatial Data and the types with explanation and Use of it in GIS. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –

  1. Types of NoSQL Databases
  2. What Is Data Mining?
  3. Big data Concepts
  4. What is GIS?
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Excel VBA Bundle
500+ Hours of HD Videos
15 Learning Paths
120+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
Financial Analyst Masters Training Program
2000+ Hours of HD Videos
43 Learning Paths
550+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Data Science Bundle
2000+ Hour of HD Videos
80 Learning Paths
400+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Software Development Bundle
5000+ Hours of HD Videos
149 Learning Paths
1050+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
Primary Sidebar
Footer
Follow us!
  • EDUCBA FacebookEDUCBA TwitterEDUCBA LinkedINEDUCBA Instagram
  • EDUCBA YoutubeEDUCBA CourseraEDUCBA Udemy
APPS
EDUCBA Android AppEDUCBA iOS App
Blog
  • Blog
  • Free Tutorials
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Log in
  • Blog as Guest
Courses
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Free Courses
  • Explore Programs
  • All Courses
  • All in One Bundles
  • Sign up
Email
  • [email protected]

ISO 10004:2018 & ISO 9001:2015 Certified

© 2023 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

Let’s Get Started

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

EDUCBA
Free Data Science Course

Hadoop, Data Science, Statistics & others

By continuing above step, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Loading . . .
Quiz
Question:

Answer:

Quiz Result
Total QuestionsCorrect AnswersWrong AnswersPercentage

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

🚀 Cyber Monday Reloaded Price Drop! All in One Universal Bundle (3700+ Courses) @ 🎁 90% OFF - Ends in ENROLL NOW