In GIS databases, areas are typically represented using ratio attributes. Ratio attributes have a true zero point, which is important for representing quantities like area, where zero represents no area.
Step 1: Understanding Attribute Types
- Nominal attributes represent categories or labels, but they don't have any numerical meaning related to measurements like area.
- Interval attributes are used for data with equal intervals but no true zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).
- Ratio attributes, like area, have a true zero and allow for meaningful multiplication and division, making them suitable for representing physical measurements like area.
- Ordinal attributes represent ordered categories, but they don't have a meaningful numerical difference between values.
Step 2: Conclusion
Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Ratio.