Abstract

PostGIS is an extension to the PostgreSQL object-relational database system which allows GIS (Geographic Information Systems) objects to be stored in the database. PostGIS includes support for GiST-based R-Tree spatial indexes, and functions for
analysis and processing of GIS objects.
This is the manual for version 1.5.1

PostGIS 1.5.1 Manual

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Chapter 1

Introduction
PostGIS is developed by Refractions Research Inc, as a spatial database technology research project. Refractions is a GIS
and database consulting company in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, specializing in data integration and custom software
development. We plan on supporting and developing PostGIS to support a range of important GIS functionality, including full
OpenGIS support, advanced topological constructs (coverages, surfaces, networks), desktop user interface tools for viewing and
editing GIS data, and web-based access tools.

1.1 Project Steering Committee

The PostGIS Project Steering Committee (PSC) coordinates the general direction, release cycles, documentation, and outreach
efforts for the PostGIS project. In addition the PSC provides general user support, accepts and approves patches from the general
PostGIS community and votes on miscellaneous issues involving PostGIS such as developer commit access, new PSC members
or significant API changes.
Mark Cave-Ayland Coordinates bug fixing and maintenance effort, alignment of PostGIS with PostgreSQL releases, spatial
index selectivity and binding, windows production builds, integration of new GEOS functionality, and new function enhancements.
Paul Ramsey Co-founder of PostGIS project. General bug fixing, geography support, GEOS functionality integration and
alignment with GEOS releases.
Kevin Neufeld Documentation, Hudson automated build, advanced user support on PostGIS newsgroup, and postgis maintenance function enhancements.
Regina Obe Documentation, general user support on PostGIS newsgroup, windows production and experimental builds, and
smoke testing new functionality or major code changes.

1.2 Contributors Past and Present

Sandro Santilli Bug fixes and maintenance and integration of new GEOS functionality. WKT Raster support.
Dave Blasby The original developer/Co-founder of PostGIS. Dave wrote the server side objects, index bindings, and many of
the server side analytical functions.
Jeff Lounsbury Original development of the Shape file loader/dumper. Current PostGIS Project Owner representative.
Mark Leslie Ongoing maintenance and development of core functions. Enhanced curve support.
Olivier Courtin Input output XML (KML,GML)/GeoJSON functions and bug fixes.