PostGIS¶
What is PostGIS?¶
PostGIS is an open-source spatial database extender for the PostgreSQL object-relational database. Your hosted PostGIS product comes fully managed and ready to use, allowing you to store, query, and analyze geographic data without worrying about installation or server setup.
When you purchase a hosted PostGIS instance, you get PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and pgAdmin, all preconfigured and managed for you. This setup provides a complete cloud-based spatial database environment out of the box, letting you focus on your data and analysis instead of infrastructure.
By combining the power of SQL with spatial capabilities, this hosted PostGIS product lets GIS professionals and developers perform advanced spatial analysis at scale, integrate with tools like QGIS, and centralize both spatial and non-spatial data in one secure, cloud-based database.
Core Capabilities¶
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Spatial Data Storage
Store and manage vector (points, lines, polygons) and raster data directly in PostgreSQL
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Spatial Indexing
Uses specialized indexes to enable fast spatial searches and queries based on location.
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Spatial Functions
Perform geometric and geographic calculations using hundreds of built-in functions.
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Raster Analysis
Analyze, process, and mosaic raster datasets directly in the database.
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Topology & Routing
Extend PostGIS with add-ons like pgRouting for advanced network and topology operations.
pgAdmin 4¶
pgAdmin 4 is included with your hosted PostGIS product, providing a modern graphical interface to manage your database with ease.
It eliminates the need to connect via command line, offering an accessible web-based environment for all common database operations.
Key Features¶
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| User-friendly interface | Clean layout for exploring databases, schemas, and tables. |
| SQL Query Tool | Powerful editor with syntax highlighting, code completion, and query result visualization. |
| Server management | Organize, monitor, and manage multiple PostgreSQL connections, both local and hosted. |
| Data editing | View, edit, and filter table data directly within the interface. |
| Visualization and debugging | Explain query plans and visualize query results to optimize performance. |
Community¶
PostGIS is developed and maintained by an active open-source community under the umbrella of the OSGeo Foundation. You can access the latest resources, documentation, and discussion forums through the following links: