What is one key application of vector data in GIS?

Mapping road networks is a fundamental application of vector data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Vector data is characterized by discrete geometric shapes that represent real-world features, such as points, lines, and polygons. Roads, for example, are best represented as lines since they have a defined path but do not cover an area like a polygon. Vector data allows for accurate representation and manipulation of these linear features, making it easy to analyze and visualize road networks.

In addition to road networks, vector data can include other features like rivers (lines), land parcels (polygons), and cities (points). The precision of vector data makes it suitable for tasks such as routing and network analysis, where the relationships and connections between different features are crucial. Thus, the ability to effectively map and analyze road networks using vector data showcases one of the core strengths of GIS in managing spatial relationships.