# Resources: Spatial Data

JMap Server connects to spatial data by creating spatial data sources (SDS).

Spatial data sources are separated into 2 families: vector data sources and raster data sources. Vector data sources provide vector spatial data along with its attributes, and raster data sources provide raster data (images). 

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Configuring data sources is usually the first step to publishing spatial data with JMap.
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JMap Server connects to spatial data stored in files of various formats (e.g. MID files, SHAPE files, image files, JPEG photo files, etc.) using specific file readers. JMap Server also connects directly to data stored on spatial data servers (e.g. PostGIS, Oracle Spatial/Locator, ArcSDE, WMS/WFS servers, etc.).

Once a spatial data source is created, it must be updated before it can be used. Updating a spatial data source means preparing it for use by JMap Server. This [section](/e/administrator/jmap-server-administrator-manual/resources-spatial-data/managing-spatial-data-sources.md#updating-spatial-data-sources) offers more details on this topic.

The **Spatial Data** section in **Resources** displays a table that shows the spatial data sources configured in the server. In this section you can [create](/e/administrator/jmap-server-administrator-manual/resources-spatial-data/creating-spatial-data-sources.md) a new SDS, access the [configuration interface of an SDS](/e/administrator/jmap-server-administrator-manual/resources-spatial-data/configuring-spatial-data-sources.md) by clicking on its name, and [manage](/e/administrator/jmap-server-administrator-manual/resources-spatial-data/managing-spatial-data-sources.md) the SDSs you select in the table.


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