Create polygon using coordinates

[Donovan Pollack]

Does stata have the capability to help create a shape file by filling in the lines between coordinates that will form polygons I am trying to map? For instance, I have four points (lat, lon) per id, I want to connect those points to form a polygon, the output will be a shape file I can use to create maps.

I know I can do this using other software, ie ArcGis, but I prefer to use Stata if possible.

thanks
Donovan

[Scott Merryman]

Yes, though the last the last pair coordinates must be equal to the first pair for each polygon:

clear
input double x y
10 15
10 20
20 20
20 18
14 18
14 17
20 17
20 15
10 15
. .
22 22
22 28
28 28
28 22
22 22
end
line y x, cmissing(n)

You should take a look at spmap (-ssc desc spmap-) and in particular the discussion on "spatial data format".
Also the Stata FAQ is helpful: https://www.stata.com/support/faqs/g...aps/index.html