Geographic Data & Geospatial Technologies Notes PDF

Module 2: Geographic Data and Geospatial Technologies What is Geographic Data? Geographic data identifies the location of natural and man-made features on Earth. It can describe small areas (e.g., a town) or large areas (e.g., a continent). Geographic data is essential for unders...

Module 2: Geographic Data and Geospatial Technologies What is Geographic Data? Geographic data identifies the location of natural and man-made features on Earth. It can describe small areas (e.g., a town) or large areas (e.g., a continent). Geographic data is essential for understanding spatial patterns and making decisions. 2-1: Who Gathers Geographic Data and Why? 1. Individual Data Gatherers: ○ Examples: Professors, researchers, community planners. ○ Methods: Field observations, analyzing satellite images, studying government reports. ○ Goal: Solve local issues like traffic or study broader problems like climate change. 2. Organizations: ○ Examples: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture. ○ Tools: Larger budgets, advanced technologies, and government access. ○ Census Data: Collected every 10 years to count population and gather information like age, income, and education. Used to allocate resources (schools, hospitals) and guide policies. 2-2: How Are Geographic Data Gathered? 1. Traditional Methods: ○ Interviews and Surveys: Ask people questions to gather opinions or compare their past and current locations. ○ Field Observations: Use photos or firsthand observations to analyze landscapes. 2. Geospatial Technologies: ○ Global Positioning System (GPS): Pinpoints absolute location (latitude and longitude). Uses 24 satellites to guide apps like Google Maps. ○ Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Combines data layers to analyze spatial patterns (e.g., pollution sites near wetlands). Examples: Maps showing hotels, restaurants, and traffic routes.  Google Maps is a really good example of this as well ○ Remote Sensing: Uses satellites or aircraft to collect Earth images. Tracks environmental changes, population patterns, or drought conditions. 2-3: Consequences of Decisions Made Using Geographic Data 1. Census Data: ○ Effects on People: Growing populations in southern and western U.S. = higher rents, crowded cities. Aging populations influence where businesses build hospitals or senior centers. ○ Effects on Governments: Changing migration patterns affect voting trends. Federal education funding shifts based on school-age population. 2. Satellite Imagery: ○ Tracks population density (e.g., Nile Delta region in Egypt). ○ Helps governments plan policies (e.g., manage drought impacts in southern Africa). Key Vocabulary Absolute Location: Exact coordinates on Earth (latitude and longitude). GIS: Software that layers geographic data to analyze patterns and solve problems. GPS: A satellite system that pinpoints locations and provides directions. Remote Sensing: Collecting Earth data via satellites or high-altitude aircraft. Census: A population count conducted every 10 years. Quick Review Questions 1. What are the three main geospatial technologies used to collect geographic data? GPS, GIS, and Remote Sensing. 2. How often does the U.S. Census Bureau conduct a census? Every 10 years. 3. Why are GIS tools valuable for understanding spatial relationships?  GIS allows the layering of diverse data (e.g., pollution sources and population density) to understand patterns and make decisions. 4. What does remote sensing reveal about economic development? Remote sensing shows data like night lights to indicate electricity access and economic development.