Shapefile - Wikipedia
The shapefile format is a digital vector storage format for storing geographic location and associated attribute information. This format lacks the capacity to store topological information. …
What is a shapefile?—ArcMap | Documentation - Esri
A shapefile is a simple, nontopological format for storing the geometric location and attribute information of geographic features. Geographic features in a shapefile can be represented by …
Cartographic Boundary Files - Shapefile - Census.gov
Oct 30, 2024 · Cartographic Boundary Files - Shapefile The cartographic boundary files are simplified representations of selected geographic areas from the Census Bureau’s …
ArcGIS Shapefile Files Types & Extensions - GIS Geography
ArcGIS shapefile files are composed of mandatory files (SHP, SHX and DBF) and optional files (PRJ, XML, SBN and SBX). This article lists their functions.
What is a Shapefile? Everything You Need To Know About the …
These files can be used to draw shapes on maps and to encode attribute data associated with those shapes in shapefile viewer applications. One confusing thing about the term Shapefile is …
ESRI Shapefile - Library of Congress
May 9, 2024 · Format Description for ESRI_shape -- The Shapefile format stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the spatial features in a data set. The geometry for a …
Shapefile Explained: What It Is, How It Works & Key Benefits
Mar 17, 2025 · Originally developed by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), shapefiles store geographic information as vector data, including points, lines, and polygons. …
How to Use Shapefiles in ArcGIS and ArcGIS Pro: Step-by-Step …
Jun 13, 2025 · Shapefiles are one of the most common geospatial data formats used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They consist of multiple component files (such as …
Shapefile Definition - What is a shapefile? - Precisely
A shapefile is a vector data file format commonly used for geospatial analysis. Shapefiles store the location, geometry, and attribution of point, line, and polygon features.
What is a Shapefile? The Essential Building Block of GIS
Apr 4, 2025 · A shapefile is a digital file format designed specifically for GIS to store, share, and analyze spatial data. Unlike traditional formats that only handle textual or numerical data, …