PostGIS Geospatial Queries
Build location-aware applications with full PostGIS integration. Calculate distances, find nearby points, query polygons, and visualize geographic data — all through simple API parameters.
Location Intelligence Built In
Modern applications need location awareness. Baasix makes geospatial queries as simple as any other filter.
Store geographic data using Geometry or Geography field types. Then query by distance, find points within polygons, calculate intersections, and sort by proximity — all through the standard REST API. Baasix leverages PostgreSQL's PostGIS extension to provide enterprise-grade spatial capabilities without requiring any GIS expertise.
- Store points, lines, polygons, and complex geometries in your schema
- Find nearby records with distance calculations in meters or miles
- Search within radius, bounding box, or custom polygon
- Sort results by proximity to a reference point
- Calculate distances between geographic features
- Support for multiple coordinate reference systems (SRID)
- Automatic spatial indexing for fast queries
Geospatial Made Accessible
PostGIS is powerful but complex. Baasix exposes it through a simple API.
✓ With Baasix
- Add Geometry field type to schema, done
- Query nearby with simple filter parameter
- Distance calculations in API response
- Automatic GIST index creation
- Works with any mapping frontend
✗ Traditional Approach
- Install PostGIS, configure extensions manually
- Write ST_DWithin, ST_Distance queries in raw SQL
- Build custom endpoints for each spatial operation
- Create and maintain spatial indexes
- Parse WKT/GeoJSON in application code
Simple API, Powerful Results
Find nearby stores within 5km, sorted by distance.
GET /api/items/stores
?filter[location][dwithin]={"point": [40.7128, -74.0060], "distance": 5000}
&sort=location:nearest
&fields=name,address,location,distanceReturns stores within 5km of coordinates (NYC), sorted by distance, with calculated distance in meters included in each result.
Geospatial Capabilities
Distance Queries
Find records within a specified distance from a point. ST_DWithin powered queries with automatic unit conversion.
Proximity Sorting
Sort results by distance from a reference point. Perfect for 'nearest to me' features in mobile apps.
Polygon Queries
Check if points fall within polygons, find intersections, and query overlapping regions. Full spatial relationship support.
Bounding Box Search
Fast spatial queries using rectangular bounds. Ideal for map viewport queries where users pan and zoom.
Geographic Support
Use Geography type for Earth-surface calculations with accurate great-circle distances in meters.
GeoJSON Output
Results include GeoJSON-formatted coordinates ready for mapping libraries like Mapbox, Leaflet, or Google Maps.
Location-Aware Applications
From delivery apps to real estate platforms, geospatial features unlock new possibilities.
Store Locators
Help customers find the nearest store, restaurant, or service location. Show distance, directions, and store details in one query.
Ride-Sharing & Delivery
Match riders with nearby drivers, optimize delivery routes, and track real-time positions. Distance calculations for fare estimates.
Real Estate & Property
Search properties within neighborhoods, school districts, or custom boundary polygons. Filter by proximity to amenities.
Fleet Management
Track vehicle positions, define geofences for alerts, and analyze coverage areas. Historical location queries for reporting.
Geospatial FAQ
Do I need to install PostGIS separately?
If you're using a managed PostgreSQL service (Neon, Supabase, RDS), PostGIS is typically available as an extension. Baasix enables it automatically when you add a Geometry field.
What coordinate format should I use?
Baasix accepts coordinates as [longitude, latitude] arrays or GeoJSON Point objects. WGS84 (SRID 4326) is the default and works for global applications.
How do I handle timezone-aware queries?
Geographic queries are coordinate-based and timezone-independent. For time-sensitive location data, store timestamps alongside coordinates and filter by both.
Can I combine geospatial filters with other filters?
Absolutely! Chain geospatial filters with any other filter type. Find open restaurants within 2km that serve Italian food and have 4+ stars.
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