Understanding Geographic Data

Geographic data are information connected to a specific location

on earth. A location may be on the earth's surface, underground, or
in the air.
Gathering geographic data
Mapmakers and analysts gather information from many sources:
• Satellite technologies, which can produce very detailed images of the
physical characteristics of the earth, allowing accuracy, precision, and
repeatability in measurement parameters.

Satellites orbit the earth, making repeated

visits to places. This helps in analyzing
changes to the environment.
  

• Physical measurements  or ambient environmental monitoring taken during

surveying and sample collection.

• Aerial photography
(a common source for base maps)
  

• Remote sensing devices on satellites, airplanes, and on earth.

These devices collect numeric data, then transmit the data to receivers on
earth or record the data on directly onto computer media. Computers can
reconstruct the data into digital images that look like photographs and are
used for visual inspection, or the data may be used as numerical sources
and input directly into computers for mathematical modeling and analysis.
• Other databases that contain information about specific locations. A
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system that stores
geographic information in database form, then can manipulate and
display that information.
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