Which term describes reducing the number of points in a line without losing its essential shape?

The term that describes reducing the number of points in a line while maintaining its essential shape is generalization. Generalization is a crucial process in geospatial data handling and cartography, as it simplifies complex datasets by removing unnecessary details. This allows for clearer representation of features, making maps more readable and useful without sacrificing vital information about the shape and form of the geographical element.

In contrast, resampling refers to the process of changing the resolution of data, which may involve adding or removing data points to achieve a different sampling interval, rather than retaining the essential shape while reducing overall points. Neighborhood analysis involves examining a set of features relative to their surrounding context, which does not directly correlate with the concept of point reduction. Similarly, interpolation is a method used to estimate values between known data points, focusing more on prediction than on simplification of existing data. Generalization effectively balances the need for detail with the practicality of analysis and visualization in geospatial contexts.