Vector Data

Vector data is a type of GIS data that represents geographic features as geometric shapes -- points, lines (polylines), and polygons -- with associated attribute information. It is used for discrete features such as boundaries, roads, and locations.

Vector geometry types

Points: - Represent discrete locations - Defined by a single coordinate pair (x, y) or triplet (x, y, z) - Examples: drill hole collars, sample sites, monument locations, mine portals

Lines (polylines): - Represent linear features - Defined by an ordered sequence of coordinate pairs - Examples: roads, streams, fault traces, pipelines, claim boundaries

Polygons: - Represent area features - Defined by a closed ring of coordinate pairs - Examples: mining claims, lease boundaries, geological units, land parcels

Vector data attributes: - Each feature has associated attribute data stored in a table - Attributes describe properties of the feature (name, type, status, area, etc.) - Attribute fields have defined data types (text, integer, double, date) - Attributes enable queries, symbolization, and analysis

Vector data formats: - Shapefile (.shp): Legacy but widely used - GeoJSON: Web-friendly format - GeoPackage (.gpkg): Open standard database - File Geodatabase (.gdb): Esri format - KML/KMZ: Google Earth format

Advantages over raster: - Precise representation of boundaries and locations - Efficient storage (only features are stored, not empty space) - Rich attribute data - Scale-independent visualization - Topology support for spatial integrity

Mining applications: Vector data is the primary format for mining claims, lease boundaries, ownership parcels, sample locations, and infrastructure mapping.