.SHP File Extension

Object created and/or used by various 3D design programs; typically a three-dimensional image represented using polygons that are defined by vertices and lines; may also be a 2D drawing.

SHP files are also referenced by various video games.

Data set used by ESRI ArcView, a geographic analysis application; stores a collection of geographic features, such as streets, points of interest, and zip code boundaries; can be used to store point, line, or area features.

Each object within a SHP file contains an individual geographic feature and its attributes.

NOTE: ArcView is part of the ArcGIS software suite.