Table of Contents¶
Karta Documentation¶
Karta is a package for spatial analysis in Python. It streamlines data processing by providing generic geographical types for vector and raster sources as well as a selection of analysis functions.
Karta is divided into two major sections, karta.raster
for gridded
image-like data, and karta.vector
for point-wise geometry data. Users of GIS
software will find the distinction familiar. Rasters are typically used for
applications such as satellite imagery, elevation and hillshade maps, and
heatmaps. Vector datasets are used when it makes sense to talk about discrete
geometries, as in a network of stations, a road system, or maps administrative
boundaries.
In addition to the above, Karta contains the modules karta.crs
and
karta.geodesy
, which together provide support classes and functions that
help represent raster and vector object as positions on earth. There are
numerous ways of representing positions, including geographical
longitude/latitude, n-vectors, and easting/northings on various projected
systems. The CRS class encodes the type of coordinate reference system used by
an individual or set of objects, and provides a translation layer permitting
intercomparison of objects using different systems.
Karta is tested with Python 2.7 and Python 3.4+. Suggestions, bug reports, and pull requests are welcome via the Github page.
Data Formats¶
Karta provides a basic working interface to several common file formats. Currently supported include:
- vector
- GeoJSON (r,w)
- ESRI shapefiles (GDAL) (r,w)
- GPS eXchange (GPX) (r,w)
- raster
- ESRI ASCII grid (r,w)
- GeoTiff (GDAL) (r,w)
Furthermore, Karta vector geometries implement the Python geo_interface protocol, permitting direct data interchange with other packages that implement it, such as Shapely and ArcPy.