- specifies location
- stored in a shape file, geodatabase or similar geographic file
Attribute (descriptive) data (what, how much, when)
- specifies characteristics at that location, natural or human created
- stored in a data base table
GIS traditionally maintain spatial and attribute data separately, then "join' them for display or analysis
- for example, in Mapview, the Attributes of...table is used to link a shapefile (spatial structure) with a data base table containing attribute information in order to display the attribute data spatially on map.