PostGIS
extension adds support for geographic objects to PostgreSQL, allowing you to store, query, and manipulate spatial data. It effectively turns PostgreSQL into a spatial database.
Your Nile database arrives with the PostGIS
extension already enabled.
Quick Start
Let’s walk through some common PostGIS operations using a simple example of storing and querying location data.Creating a Spatial Table
Inserting Data
Basic Spatial Queries
Find all points within 5km of a location:Working with Areas
Create and query polygons:Common Operations
Coordinate Transformations
Convert between coordinate systems:Distance Calculations
Spatial Relationships
Geometry Creation
Best Practices
-
Indexing:
- Always create spatial indexes (GiST) on geometry columns
- Use appropriate coordinate systems for your use case
-
Performance:
- Use ST_DWithin instead of ST_Distance for radius searches
- Cast to geography type for accurate earth-distance calculations
- Consider clustering on spatial indexes for large datasets
-
Data Quality:
- Validate geometries using ST_IsValid
- Use appropriate SRID for your data
- Clean up invalid geometries using ST_MakeValid
Common Use Cases
- Location-based services
- Geofencing
- Territory management
- Asset tracking
- Spatial analysis
- Map visualization
- Route planning
- Environmental analysis