Nonspatial

Nonspatial is an adjective used to describe information, representations, or processes that do not encode or rely on spatial attributes such as location, distance, or direction. The term is used across fields as a counterpart to spatial, and in many contexts both types of information are considered together.

In cognitive neuroscience and psychology, nonspatial processing refers to tasks and representations that do not depend on location. For example, remembering an object's identity, color, or sequence can be described as nonspatial memory, whereas navigating a landscape typically involves spatial representations. Brain networks associated with spatial processing, such as the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, are often contrasted with those supporting nonspatial or abstract processing in prefrontal and parietal areas.

In information science and data management, nonspatial data refers to attributes that lack geographic coordinates. Examples include product descriptions, timestamps, user identifiers, or demographic attributes. Such data are stored in databases and can be linked to spatial data through key relationships or join operations for integrated analyses, such as geographic information systems (GIS) that combine nonspatial attributes with coordinates.

In cartography and urban planning, nonspatial considerations may influence models and decisions, while spatial data describe the geographic layout. The distinction helps researchers and practitioners structure analyses, ensure appropriate methods are applied, and interpret results in terms of location relevance or lack thereof.

See also: spatial data, nonspatial memory, GIS, data governance.