Esri ArcGIS Pro Foundation Certification Practice Test

What type of spatial data representation would be used for representing a city's boundaries?

1. A polygon

2. A line

3. A point

4. A raster image

The correct answer is: A polygon

Using a polygon for representing a city's boundaries is the most appropriate choice due to the nature of city borders, which are defined areas. Polygons are geometric shapes that consist of multiple vertices connected by straight lines, allowing them to enclose a space. This makes them ideal for representing distinct areas such as cities, which have clear boundaries. Polygons can accurately depict the complexities of a city’s outline, including irregular shapes and features. They enable users to visualize and analyze spatial relationships, such as proximity to other geographic features or zoning considerations. The other representations—lines, points, and raster images—do not adequately capture the concept of boundaries in the same way. Lines can represent linear features like roads or rivers but are limited when trying to define an area. Points represent specific locations but lack the spatial extent needed to show boundaries. Raster images, while useful for representing continuous surfaces such as land cover, do not provide the detailed delineation required for conveying the precise borders of a city. Therefore, using a polygon is the most effective method for representing city boundaries.