descartes
Use geometric objects as matplotlib paths and patches
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are working with geometric objects and matplotlib in a stable codebase where you do not expect frequent updates. The package is mature and does one thing well, but its abandonment since 2017 means you should verify compatibility with your current matplotlib and Python versions before adopting it in new projects.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires matplotlib; numpy is an implicit dependency.
- Shapely 1.2+ is optional but typically used for geometric operations.
- Low install friction with pure Python wheels available.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD license (permissive) places no significant restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in most contexts.
last release 2017-01-17 (3496 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 676,373 downloads/mo, #5,383 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install descartes matplotlib
from matplotlib import pyplot
from descartes import PolygonPatch
patch = PolygonPatch({'type': 'Polygon', 'coordinates': [[(0, 0), (1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1), (0, 0)]]}, fc='blue', alpha=0.5)
ax = pyplot.gca()
ax.add_patch(patch)
pyplot.show()- Whether the package works reliably with current versions of matplotlib and numpy given its 2017 release date.
- Compatibility with modern Python versions beyond what classifiers declare.
- Whether active alternatives exist for this use case in the current ecosystem.
What it is and what it does
Descartes is an adapter layer that converts geometric objects and GeoJSON-like dictionaries into matplotlib patch objects for visualization. It bridges geometric computation and matplotlib's rendering system, allowing you to plot spatial data directly without manual coordinate extraction. The package accepts objects with a `__geo_interface__` property or compatible geometric structures and converts them into matplotlib patches that can be added to axes.
The package is stable and has been in production use since 2010, but it is no longer actively maintained—the last release was in 2017. It has no known security vulnerabilities and carries a permissive BSD license. Its single runtime dependency is matplotlib, with numpy as an implicit requirement.
Use it for
- Plot geometric objects directly on matplotlib figures without manual coordinate extraction.
- Visualize GeoJSON geometries in Python by converting them to matplotlib patches for display.
- Create spatial plots where you want to leverage geometric operations and matplotlib's rendering.
- Render transformed geometries as colored patches with transparency and styling.
- Build exploratory plots of spatial data without writing custom coordinate-to-patch conversion code.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are working with geometric objects and matplotlib in a stable codebase where you do not expect frequent updates.
The package is mature and does one thing well, but its abandonment since 2017 means you should verify compatibility with your current matplotlib and Python versions before adopting it in new projects.
Install
descartes on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with pure Python wheels available. However, the package is abandoned—last release was in 2017, over 3496 days ago. No recent maintenance or updates; use only if existing functionality meets your needs.
Requires matplotlib; numpy is an implicit dependency. Shapely 1.2+ is optional but typically used for geometric operations.
License in practice
BSD license (permissive) places no significant restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in most contexts.
Quickstart
pip install descartes matplotlib
from matplotlib import pyplot
from descartes import PolygonPatch
patch = PolygonPatch({'type': 'Polygon', 'coordinates': [[(0, 0), (1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1), (0, 0)]]}, fc='blue', alpha=0.5)
ax = pyplot.gca()
ax.add_patch(patch)
pyplot.show()Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with current versions of matplotlib and numpy given its 2017 release date.
- Compatibility with modern Python versions beyond what classifiers declare.
- Whether active alternatives exist for this use case in the current ecosystem.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagematplotlib |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 3,496 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 676,373 / month, #5,383 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 3Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: GIS |
Evidence: descartes-1.1.0-py2-none-any.whl; descartes-1.1.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also matplotlib-venn · Cartopy · antimeridian · shapely-polyskel · osm2geojson · pygeoif · geomet · highcharts-maps · pygeos