1.2: Types of Geographic Data

• Our planet is changing - urban areas continue to grow through urban sprawl, changes in agriculture have led to deforestation, and changes in our climate have led to ice caps to melt reshaping landscapes around the world
• Remote sensing

  A process of collecting information about the world from satellites orbiting the earth
• Geographic information system (GIS)


  A computer system that can analyze, collect and display geographic data
• GIS


  • Can create layered maps which can give insight into spatial associations, show patterns or trends of a place, and provide individuals, governments and other organizations insight into different geographic data
• Use of GIS and remote sensing


  • Farmers can use them to better understand what parts of their field need more water, pesticide or attention to increase crop yield
  • Individuals use GPS to navigate between different places
• Geographers can visit a place and record first-hand observations, known as field observations
• If field observations are not feasible, geographers can look at media reports, travel narratives, government documents and conduct personal interviews to collect geographic data
• Media reports


  • Show what is happening in an area and give insight into what the people of an area are experiencing and feeling, and can help geographers learn more about other information related to a specific place
• Travel narratives


  • Show geographers what people think of a place, what they observed and experienced while visiting or living in an area, and can reveal what everyday people experience while visiting a place
• Government documents


  • Show geographers how land is being used, what cultural values are being promoted, what systems are in place, what's happening now and what will happen in a place
• Personal interviews


  • Geographers can gain valuable insight into a place by talking with individuals who live in the place or have specific qualifications or expertise about a particular topic
• Landscape analysis


  • Geographers can study the wildlife, vegetation, geography and other physical elements of a place to understand the impact humans have had on an area
• Photo analysis


  • Geographers can analyze photos to better understand the type of culture, demographics, population density and what's happening in a place
• Qualitative data

  Observations, interviews and individuals' thoughts - information that is often up for debate and discussion, and hard to replicate
• Quantitative data


  Specific details about a place in the form of numbers - information that is not up for debate and is often factual