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I would like to store latitude / longitude information in a POSTGIS database. I will need to query that data with simple contains query (for display on a map, so the bounding will be simple box) and lookup by lat/long.

As I'm new to all this GIS, what would be the recommend storage/column format? Anything that needs to be considered for indexes?

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  • Please ask only one question per question. Indexing is a huge topic all by itself.
    – Vince
    Jan 29, 2016 at 21:37

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The column format for PostGIS is called geometry and you'll probably need to read up on all the functions associated with managing spatial columns.

If you are getting the lat/longs from GPS or Google, the projection will be EPSG:4326.

edit: iant's comment brings up a good point about the geography type, and indeed if you are using EPSG:4326 it looks like it will autocast to that type:

The geography type only supports the simplest of simple features. Standard geometry type data will autocast to geography if it is of SRID 4326.

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  • Geography might be a better choice here
    – Ian Turton ♦
    Jan 29, 2016 at 21:32
  • Good point! Added to my answer.
    – Mintx
    Jan 29, 2016 at 21:47
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    Nitpick. The type is geometry. I nitpick because as I recall ESRI has a PostgreSQL type called ST_Geometry whic is a different type from PostGIS geometry type.
    – LR1234567
    Jan 30, 2016 at 17:38

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