GeoJSON
JSON subset for geospatial data
GeoJSON is an open standard format designed for representing simple geographical features, along with their non-spatial attributes. It is based on the JSON format.
The features include points (therefore addresses and locations), line strings (therefore streets, highways and boundaries), polygons (countries, provinces, tracts of land), and multi-part collections of these types. GeoJSON features are not limited to representing entities of the physical world only; mobile routing and navigation apps, for example, might describe their service coverage using GeoJSON.
The GeoJSON format differs from other geographic information system standards in that it was written and is maintained not by a formal standards organization, but by an Internet working group of developers.
A notable offspring of GeoJSON is TopoJSON, an extension of GeoJSON that encodes geospatial topology and that typically provides smaller file sizes.
History
The GeoJSON format working group and discussion were begun in March 2007 and the format specification was finalized in June 2008.
In April 2015, the Internet Engineering Task Force founded the Geographic JSON working group which released GeoJSON as RFC 7946 in August 2016.
Example
Geometries
Points are [x, y] or [x, y, z]. They may be [longitude, latitude] or [eastings, northings]. Elevation, in meters, is an optional third number.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “GeoJSON” as jSON subset for geospatial data. Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
Why this record matters
The subject matters to the general reference register because the source frames it as jSON subset for geospatial data. Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 11, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q5533904. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 1 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2016.
Overview language is designed for orientation and should not be treated as a substitute for the evidence cited beneath it. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
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- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “GeoJSON”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow GeoJSON primary sources, GeoJSON archive and GeoJSON research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “GeoJSON”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “GeoJSON” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.