What is a .QGZ file?
A .QGZ file is a special type of file that is used with QGIS, which stands for Quantum GIS. QGIS is a free program that lets people make and work with maps. The ".QGZ" at the end of a file name means that the file is a Zipped QGIS Project. This means it's a folder that has been squished down (compressed) to make it smaller and easier to move around or send to other people. Inside this compressed folder, there are important files that QGIS needs to open and show a map project. These include a .QGS file, which is the main project file, and a QGD file, which has extra information for the project.
Because the .QGZ file is made specifically for QGIS, the best way to open it is by using the QGIS program itself. When you use QGIS to open a .QGZ file, the program knows how to unpack (decompress) it and use the files inside to show you the map project just as it was saved. This is really handy for people who work with maps because it keeps everything they need in one place and makes it easy to share projects with others.
To open a .QGZ file, you would start by installing QGIS on your computer if you haven't already. It's available for free and works on different types of computers like Windows, Mac, and Linux. Once you have QGIS installed, you can open it and then choose to open the .QGZ file from within the program. QGIS will then load everything in the file, and you'll be able to see the map project and work on it just like the person who created it.
In summary, a .QGZ file is a compressed folder for QGIS map projects, containing all the necessary files for the project. The best way to open and work with these files is by using the QGIS program, which is designed specifically for handling such files.
Verification
Our goal is to help people find the most up-to-date information about file extensions for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. We researched over 10,000 file extensions and their respective programs that open those files. If you want to suggest edits or updates about .QGZ file formats, example files, or programs that are compatible. Please contact us.