Work with data

Geospatial data (also known as “spatial data”) is used to describe data that represents features or objects on the Earth’s surface, whether it’s man-made or natural, if it has to do with a specific location on the globe. Spatial data can exist in a variety of formats and contains more than just location specific information.

Spatial modeling or feature representation, is an analytical process conducted in conjunction with a geographical information system (GIS) in order to describe basic processes and properties for a given set of spatial features. The objective of spatial modeling is to be able to study and simulate spatial objects or phenomena that occur in the real world and facilitate problem solving and planning [source].

Vectors are graphical representations of the real world. There are three main types of vector data: points, lines and polygons. The points help create lines, and the connecting lines form enclosed areas or polygons. Vectors often represent the generalization of features or objects on the planet's surface. Vector data is usually stored in shapefiles, sometimes referred to as .shp files.

Raster represents information presented in a pixel grid. Each pixel stored within a raster has value. This can be anything from a unit of measurement, color or information about a specific element. Typically, raster refers to imagery, but in spatial analysis it frequently refers to an orthoimage or the photos taken from aerial devices or satellites. 

Whenever spatial data contains additional information or non-spatial data, it is called an attribute. Spatial data can have any number of attributes about a location. For example, this may be a map, photographs, historical information or anything else that may be deemed necessary.