May 1, 2024
Updated June 25, 2025
18 minute read
Navigating the World of PostGIS: A Comprehensive Guide
PostGIS is an open-source software program that adds support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL object-relational database. In essence, PostGIS "spatially enables" the PostgreSQL server, allowing it to be used as a backend spatial database for geographic information systems (GIS) and web mapping applications. It allows users to store, query, and analyze large datasets with spatial columns. This capability transforms a standard relational database into a powerful tool for handling and analyzing data that has a location component, such as points, lines, and polygons.
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Find a path to becoming a PostGIS. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 23 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
PostGIS.
Is widely regarded as the definitive guide to PostGIS. It provides a comprehensive introduction to spatial databases and covers vector, raster, and topology spatial types and functions. It is an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding and is frequently used as a reference by both students and professionals. This edition is updated to cover recent PostGIS and PostgreSQL features, making it highly relevant for contemporary topics.
Published recently, this book focuses specifically on Spatial SQL, which is the core language for interacting with PostGIS. It's highly relevant for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of querying and manipulating spatial data within a database context. While not solely about PostGIS, its direct relevance to the practical application of spatial databases makes it a valuable resource for all levels.
A practical guide to using PostGIS to manage and analyze geospatial data, with hands-on exercises and real-world examples.
This Spanish-language book focuses on advanced spatial analysis with PostGIS. It's suitable for users who have a foundational understanding and wish to explore more complex analytical capabilities. Its focus on advanced topics makes it relevant for graduate students and working professionals.
Aims to help users master the full range of PostGIS functionalities, from data management to analysis and integration with web technologies. It covers modern approaches to working with spatial data in PostGIS and is suitable for developers and analysts.
This French-language book offers a comprehensive guide to building a GIS based on PostGIS. It covers recent versions of PostGIS and PostgreSQL, making it relevant for contemporary practices. It's a good resource for those who prefer learning in French and provides a solid foundation for using PostGIS in a GIS context.
A guide to using PostGIS and QGIS together for geospatial analysis, covering topics such as data import, data visualization, and spatial modeling.
A practical guide to using PostGIS for health-related applications, such as disease mapping and spatial analysis of health data.
This edition of the PostGIS Cookbook is specifically aimed at web developers and software architects, highlighting the use of PostGIS in web applications. It's a practical guide with recipes relevant to integrating PostGIS into a web development workflow.
This course title clearly outlines an introduction to spatial databases using PostGIS and QGIS. Books that cover the basics of spatial database concepts, how to set up and use PostGIS, and how to connect and visualize PostGIS data in QGIS would be ideal for beginners and those new to spatial databases. It emphasizes foundational knowledge.
The second edition of the widely acclaimed 'PostGIS in Action'. While superseded by the third edition in terms of the latest PostGIS features, this book is still a valuable resource for understanding the core concepts and capabilities of PostGIS up to versions 2.x. It can be useful as supplementary reading or a more affordable option for gaining a solid foundation.
Another foundational book on spatial databases, this text provides a theoretical and technical deep dive into the subject. It covers spatial data models, query languages, and indexing techniques. While published earlier, it offers a strong academic perspective valuable for graduate students and researchers.
This course title indicates a focus on using spatial data for scientific analysis and applications, an area where PostGIS foundational tool for data storage and initial processing. Books that cover spatial statistics, data mining, and the use of PostGIS in conjunction with programming languages like Python or R for spatial data science would be valuable for this audience.
This course title points to the use of PostGIS as a backend for web mapping applications. Books that explain how to integrate PostGIS with web development frameworks, serve spatial data to the web, and build interactive web maps would be highly relevant. Understanding PostGIS's role in a web architecture is crucial.
Since PostGIS is an extension of PostgreSQL, a strong understanding of PostgreSQL is beneficial. focuses on mastering PostgreSQL, including performance tuning and advanced features, which are directly applicable to working with PostGIS effectively. While not a PostGIS book, it provides essential prerequisite knowledge for advanced PostGIS users.
While not a specific book recommendation, the title of this course highlights the importance of Spatial SQL and its application with PostgreSQL/PostGIS. Books focusing on Spatial SQL and practical exercises with PostGIS would align well with the objectives of this type of course, providing hands-on learning opportunities.
This course title suggests a focus on building enterprise-level GIS solutions using open source tools, specifically PostgreSQL and PostGIS. Books that cover advanced PostGIS features, integration with other open-source GIS tools, and database administration for large datasets would be highly relevant. Understanding how PostGIS scales and performs in an enterprise environment is key.
Focuses on writing effective SQL for PostgreSQL. Since PostGIS heavily relies on SQL with spatial extensions, a deep understanding of SQL is fundamental. This book can help users write more efficient and sophisticated spatial queries in PostGIS.
This cookbook focuses on the administration of PostgreSQL, including topics like backup, recovery, and monitoring, which are essential for managing a PostGIS database in a production environment. It's a valuable reference for database administrators working with PostGIS.
Provides a guide to learning PostgreSQL. As PostGIS is an extension, having a solid understanding of the underlying database system is very helpful. This book would be useful for those new to PostgreSQL who plan to use PostGIS.
While focused on GRASS GIS, another prominent open-source GIS software, this book provides valuable context on the broader open-source GIS ecosystem. Understanding other open-source tools can be beneficial when working with PostGIS, as they often integrate. offers a broader perspective on open-source spatial data handling.
This open-access web-based textbook provides a general introduction to GIS concepts. While not specific to PostGIS, it offers foundational knowledge in GIS that is essential before diving into a spatial database like PostGIS. It's a good resource for beginners to understand the broader context of spatial data and analysis.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/fcdg2j/postgi
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