Spatial
Spatial metadata holds the geometric representation of each area along with the attributes derived from it, such as size and location. It is the geographic foundation that lets areas be visualized, analyzed, and joined to environmental datasets.
Fields
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
geometry | Polygon representing the area boundary | GeoJSON polygon |
area_gis_ha | Calculated area based on geometry (hectares) | 982,000 |
area_official_ha | Officially reported area, where available | 1,000,000 |
area_centroid | Centroid of the polygon | Point geometry |
Role of Spatial Metadata
Mapping and visualization
Geometry is what puts an area on the map and makes it selectable in the interface.
Spatial analysis
It also allows areas to be intersected with external datasets — deforestation and land cover change, roads and infrastructure, hydrology and watersheds, and biodiversity and species data. Every indicator in the Atlas depends on this step.
Measurement and comparison
Keeping area_gis_ha and area_official_ha as separate fields is deliberate. Comparing the calculated figure against the officially reported one surfaces discrepancies in boundary definitions and changes over time, which would be invisible if only one number were stored.
In Practice
Geometry is typically uploaded or derived from existing spatial datasets, the calculated area is generated automatically from it, and the official area is recorded whenever a legal or institutional source provides one.