GeoTIFF is a public domain metadata standard that allows georeferencing information to be embedded within a standard Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) image file. This means that a GeoTIFF file contains not only the pixel data, representing an image, but also crucial spatial metadata that describes its geographic location, projection system, coordinate system, and other relevant geospatial attributes. Unlike regular TIFF files that might require a separate "world file" (e.g., .tfw) to define their spatial context, GeoTIFF files are self-contained, making them highly convenient and robust for geospatial applications.
This embedded information includes details such as the Coordinate Reference System (CRS), map projection (e.g., UTM, Lambert Conformal Conic), datum (e.g., WGS84), and units of measurement. GeoTIFF files are extensively used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, cartography, and environmental modeling. They are a prevalent format for distributing satellite imagery, aerial photography, digital elevation models (DEMs), land cover maps, and other forms of raster geospatial data. The format leverages the inherent flexibility of the TIFF standard, allowing it to store various types of image data (e.g., 8-bit, 16-bit, floating-point, multi-band) and supporting different compression schemes (e.g., LZW, JPEG). By integrating spatial intelligence directly into the image file, GeoTIFF significantly streamlines the workflow for geospatial professionals, ensuring data integrity and interoperability across different software platforms.