GeoTools

GeoTools is a free and open-source Java library used for working with geographic data. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and interfaces for reading, writing, and manipulating geospatial information in various formats. The library is built upon industry standards and specifications from organizations like the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

One of the core functionalities of GeoTools is its support for a wide range of vector and raster data formats. This includes popular formats such as Shapefile, GeoTIFF, GML, KML, and many others. GeoTools allows developers to easily access and process data without needing to write format-specific parsers for each type.

Beyond data access, GeoTools offers extensive capabilities for geospatial analysis and processing. Users can perform operations like geometric transformations, spatial queries, buffering, overlay analysis, and coordinate system transformations. It also includes rendering capabilities to display geographic data on maps.

GeoTools is often used in conjunction with other geospatial software and frameworks. Its modular design allows developers to integrate specific components as needed, making it a flexible choice for building custom geospatial applications, web services, and desktop GIS tools. The project is actively maintained and has a strong community contributing to its development and support.