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GIS - Topic 2 - Spring 2025

The document provides an overview of GIS data, focusing on spatial and attribute data types. It details two primary spatial data models: Vector Data, which uses points, lines, and polygons, and Raster Data, which employs a grid of cells. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages regarding representation, resolution, and data analysis suitability.

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18 views10 pages

GIS - Topic 2 - Spring 2025

The document provides an overview of GIS data, focusing on spatial and attribute data types. It details two primary spatial data models: Vector Data, which uses points, lines, and polygons, and Raster Data, which employs a grid of cells. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages regarding representation, resolution, and data analysis suitability.

Uploaded by

kushalchakma276
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Course No: 0731-221

Course Title: Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing


Topic 2: GIS Data
Course Teacher: Nafisa Farid Moumi
Lecturer, Department of Real Estate, Daffodil International University
Types of Data
Spatial Data: describes the location of geographic features
Attribute Data: describes characteristics of the geographic features

Fig 1: Attribute table Fig 2: Map (Spatial data)


Types of Spatial
Data Model

Two basic spatial data


models have evolved for
storing geographic data
digitally:

✔ Vector Data (uses x, y


coordinates to
represent features)
✔ Raster Data (use cells in
a grid to represent
features)
Vector and Raster Data
Vector Data Model
A Vector data model uses points, lines, and
polygons to represent spatial features:
❑ Point: A point has no dimension and has only
the property of location. (Ex: trees, bus stops,
schools, hospitals, etc. distribution of facilities
can be shown by points)
❑ Line: A line is one-dimensional and has only
the property of length. A line has two
endpoints and the points in between mark the
shape of the line (Ex: roads, rivers, etc.)
Vector Data Model
❑ Polygon/Area: An area is two-dimensional and
has the property of area and perimeter.

Made of connected lines, an area may be alone or


share boundaries with other areas (Ex: plots/land
parcels, buildings, land use zones, waterbody,
district/state/country, etc. can be shown through
polygon)
The representation of features using points, lines,
and areas depends on the scale and purpose of the
research.
Raster Data Model
The raster data model uses a grid and grid
cells to represent spatial features:
• point features are represented by single
cells, line features by sequences of
neighboring cells, and polygon features
by collections of contiguous cells.
• The cell value corresponds to the
attribute of the spatial feature at the cell
location.
• Raster data are ideal for continuous
features such as elevation, temperature,
precipitation, etc.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Vector Data
Advantages Disadvantages
Data can be represented at its original The location of each point needs to be
resolution and form. stored explicitly.

Graphic output is usually more aesthetically For effective analysis, vector data requires
pleasing extensive data cleaning and processing.

The accurate geographic location of data is Continuous data, such as elevation,


maintained. temperature, etc.) are not effectively
represented in vector form.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Raster Data
Advantages Disadvantages
The geographic location of each cell is The cell size determines the resolution at which
implied by its position in the cell matrix. The the data is represented. Higher resolution
coordinate of only the origin point (bottom requires smaller cell size, and consequently
left corner) of each cell is stored. requires a large amount of computer memory.
Due to the nature of the storage technique, It is difficult to represent linear features in raster
data analysis is usually easy to perform. format, depending on the cell resolution.

Raster maps are ideally suited for Raster maps usually reflect only one attribute or
mathematical modeling and quantitative characteristic for an area.
analysis.
Both discrete (ex: position of trees) and Since most input data is in vector form, data must
continuous data (ex: temperature) can be undergo vector-to-raster conversion. This may
accommodated in this model. So, it is suitable cause inaccuracy (due to the choice of
for the integration of the two data types. inappropriate cell size).
Thank You!

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