Spatial Data Import and Export

Abstract

Geographical information systems (GIS) and the types of spatial data they handle were introduced in Chap. 1. We now show how spatial data can be moved between sp objects in R and external formats, including the ones typically used by GIS. In this chapter, we first show how coordinate reference systems can be handled portably for import and export, going on to transfer vector and raster data, and finally consider ways of linking R and GIS more closely.In this chapter, we consider the representation of coordinate reference systems in a robust and portable way. Next, we show how spatial data may be read into R, and be written from R, using the most popular formats. The interface with GRASS GIS will be covered in detail, and finally the export of data for visualisation will be described.