Spatial and Graph supports the object-relational model for representing geometries. This model stores an entire geometry in the Oracle native spatial data type for vector data, SDO_GEOMETRY. An Oracle table can contain one or more SDO_GEOMETRY columns. The object-relational model corresponds to a "SQL with Geometry Types" implementation of spatial feature tables in the Open GIS ODBC/SQL specification for geospatial features.
The benefits provided by the object-relational model include:
Support for many geometry types, including arcs, circles, compound polygons, compound line strings, and optimized rectangles
Ease of use in creating and maintaining indexes and in performing spatial queries
Index maintenance by the Oracle database
Geometries modeled in a single column
Optimal performance