Ask AI: In GIS, what type of data describes the location of geographic features?

In Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the type of data that describes the location of geographic features is called **spatial data**, also known as **geospatial data**. This data essentially provides the coordinates and geometries that define where things are located on the Earth's surface. Spatial data can be categorized into two main types: 1. **Vector Data**: This type represents features using points, lines, and polygons. For example: - **Points**: Used for locations such as cities or landmarks. - **Lines**: Used for linear features such as roads, rivers, or pipelines. - **Polygons**: Used for areas such as lakes, park boundaries, or property parcels. 2. **Raster Data**: This type represents features using a grid of cells (or pixels), with each cell having a specific value. Raster data is commonly used for continuous data such as satellite imagery, elevation data, or land cover. Both vector and raster data can be geographically referenced using coordinate systems and projections, allowing them to be accurately placed on the Earth's surface and analyzed in relation to one another.