Category: Foundations
Vector
Vector data represents geometry as points, lines, and polygons, typically used for boundaries, roads, and field parcels.
Also known as: shapes, features
Expanded definition
Vector data stores shapes using coordinates rather than pixels. A field boundary is usually a polygon, a road is a line, and a sampling location is a point.
Vector data is often paired with raster data. For example, you might compute statistics of a satellite raster inside each field polygon.
Vector workflows depend heavily on geometry validity and coordinate reference systems (CRS). Invalid polygons or mismatched CRS are common causes of incorrect area calculations and misaligned overlays.
Related terms
AOI (Area of Interest)
An AOI is the geographic area you want to analyze or request data for, defined by a boundary such as a polygon or bounding box.
Polygon
A polygon is a closed boundary used to represent an area such as a field, region, or administrative unit.
CRS (Coordinate Reference System)
A CRS defines how coordinates map to locations on Earth, including the projection and datum.
Geospatial Data
Geospatial data is any data tied to a location on Earth, such as maps, satellite imagery, or field boundaries.