PostGIS
A spatial extension for PostgreSQL that adds geometry types, indexes, and functions like ST_Intersects and ST_Union.
Category: Files & Data
Definition (expanded)
PostGIS is a common spatial database stack. It stores geometries (often in EWKB under the hood), provides spatial indexes, and supports robust validity and operations. WKT, WKB, and GeoJSON converters map cleanly to PostGIS workflows.
Related terms
WKB (Well-Known Binary)A compact binary format for geometries, widely used in spatial databases and APIs.EWKB (Extended WKB)A PostGIS extension to WKB that can include SRID and additional flags.SRIDA numeric identifier for a coordinate reference system used by some databases and formats (especially PostGIS and EWKB).WKT (Well-Known Text)A plain-text format for geometries (e.g., POLYGON, MULTIPOLYGON) widely used in GIS and spatial databases.Spatial indexA data structure that speeds up spatial queries like intersects and within by narrowing candidates quickly.GiST indexA PostgreSQL index type used by PostGIS to accelerate spatial queries on geometry columns.