What comprises raster data?

Raster data is fundamentally characterized by a grid of pixels or cells, where each pixel represents a specific value related to a particular geographic area. This format is ideal for representing continuous data, such as elevation, temperature, or satellite imagery, where variations occur over an area rather than being confined to discrete units or boundaries.

Each pixel in a raster dataset contains a value, which can represent various types of information, such as color intensity in images or specific measurements in thematic maps. The structure allows for efficient storage, processing, and analysis of spatial data, especially when dealing with large datasets that correspond to natural phenomena.

In contrast, a network of stored geographic coordinates refers more to vector data formats that store locations and relationships between points, lines, and polygons. Similarly, lines and polygons represent vector data representing discrete geographical features rather than the continuous surface represented by raster data. Lastly, tabular data associated with attributes is often used alongside spatial data but does not constitute the raster structure itself since it serves a different purpose in geographic analysis. This distinction is crucial for understanding how to style and manipulate geographic data effectively in GIS applications.