WKT stands for Well-Known Text. It is a textual representation format used to describe and exchange geometric objects in the field of geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). WKT provides a standardized way to convey the geometries, such as points, lines, polygons, and geometric transformations, among various software systems and applications.
In WKT, geometries are described using a syntax consisting of keywords, parentheses, numbers, and brackets. The format is human-readable and facilitates interoperability between different GIS platforms. WKT follows a hierarchical structure, with a geometry type identifier followed by the detailed coordinates or additional information representing the geometry.
For example, a WKT representation of a point may look like: "POINT (longitude latitude)". This indicates a single point on the Earth's surface defined by its longitude and latitude coordinates. Similarly, a polygon would be described as a series of coordinates: "POLYGON ((x1 y1, x2 y2, x3 y3, ..., xn yn))". Lines, curves, and other spatial objects can also be represented using WKT, providing a comprehensive and standardized language for defining a wide range of geospatial features.
Through WKT, GIS systems can efficiently communicate spatial data, allowing for seamless integration, data sharing, and analysis between different software applications and platforms.
