Spatial Data: The Structure of Geospatial Information

Before we can map our data, we need to understand that geographic information is more than just a table of numbers: it’s a representation of our three-dimensional world projected onto a flat screen. Understanding the principles first is the key to avoiding distorted shapes and misaligned points.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the fundamentals of spatial data structures using the sf package. We’ll explore the different geometry types, decipher the cryptic specifiers of Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS), and learn how to transform geographic coordinates so your maps always tell an accurate story.