Introduction to PostGIS

Course Overview

This hands-on course introduces participants to spatial database concepts and practices using PostgreSQL and PostGIS — the industry-leading open source spatial database solution. You’ll learn to design efficient spatial database schemas, write spatial SQL queries, and connect your database to QGIS and other tools.

The course combines theoretical concepts with extensive hands-on practice, ensuring participants leave with working SQL skills and the ability to manage spatial data at scale. Available as a 2-day instructor-led course or as a self-paced option you can work through at your own pace.

What You Will Learn

PostGIS & PostgreSQL Setup

Install and configure a geospatial RDBMS ready for production use.

SQL Fundamentals

Build CRUD queries, understand tables, fields, and primary/foreign keys — no prior database experience needed.

Enterprise GIS Workflows

Explore how PostGIS serves as the backbone of a FOSS-based GIS stack in mixed IT environments.

Spatial Data Manipulation

Insert geometries, run spatial queries, and leverage PostGIS functions and operators.

QGIS Integration

Use QGIS as a visualisation tool and SQL client via DB Manager to import/export and display results.

Practical Application

Bring your own datasets for real-time exercises and continue practising on your own setup after the course.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

✔ GIS professionals moving to database-driven workflows

✔ Developers building location-aware applications

✔ Analysts working with large or complex spatial datasets

✔ Database administrators managing spatial data

✔ IT staff responsible for GIS infrastructure

✔ Anyone wanting to move beyond shapefile-based workflows

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with GIS concepts (layers, feature types, projections)
Basic computer literacy — no prior SQL or database experience required
Personal laptop with two screens (recommended for online sessions)
Interest in spatial data management and database-driven workflows

What You Receive

PostGIS reference guide & workbook

Sample spatial datasets for all exercises

30-day post-course email support

SQL cheat sheets & query templates

Certificate of attendance

All-inclusive: VAT, software & materials (instructor-led)

Why Train with Kartoza?

Open Source Contributors

Our trainers contribute code to PostGIS, QGIS, and GeoServer. We teach from deep, real-world project expertise.

Tailored for Your Team

On-site sessions can be customised around your organisation's data, systems, and database environment.

Practical from Day One

No death-by-slides. Every topic is covered through exercises using real spatial data from the first session.

Africa & Beyond

We have trained GIS and database professionals across Africa, Europe, and internationally, from Cape Town to Lisbon.

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