The rHEALPix Discrete Global Grid System: considerations for Canada

Geospatial data is ubiquitous. However, the geographic grid is not designed to manage, store, or integrate huge volumes of heterogeneous geospatial data. One possible solution to these challenges is a Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS), which was recently announced as a new standard by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). If Canada plans to utilize a DGGS in the future to reference geospatial data, research is needed to explore characteristics and suitability of different DGGSs. Although hexagonal- and triangular-based DGGSs are popular, the square-based rHEALPix DGGS mirrors the geographic grid more closely and has many advantages. This paper reviews key features of the rHEALPix DGGS, outlines recent work, and qualitatively considers cell shape and cell orientation with respect to Canada, including how variations can be avoided or exploited by rotating the grid.