SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a XML-based format for defining vector graphics. It allows graphics to be scalable, zoomable and searchable. Common SVG shapes that can be created include circles, rectangles, ellipses, lines, and paths. Attributes like cx, cy, r are used to define properties of circles and ellipses, while x1, y1, x2, y2 define the start and end points of a line. SVG graphics do not lose quality when resized.