Topic 1.2

Essential Knowledge:  

• Data may be gathered in the field by organizations or by individuals.  
• Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems, remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.  

GIS Data System	Primary Uses	Benefits	Drawbacks
ArcGIS	Comprehensive spatial analysis, mapping, and geospatial data management	Industry standard, robust tools, large support community	High licensing cost, steep learning curve
QGIS (Quantum GIS)	Open-source mapping, data visualization, and spatial analysis	Free, open-source, cross-platform, active developer community	Less polished interface, fewer proprietary datasets
Google Earth Engine	Cloud-based geospatial data analysis at global scale with satellite imagery	Massive dataset access, powerful cloud processing, no local storage needs	Requires internet connection, limited offline capability
GRASS GIS	Advanced raster/vector analysis, geoprocessing, and modeling	Powerful open-source analytics for scientific research	Steeper learning curve, less intuitive for beginners
MapInfo Professional	Business mapping, location analytics, and geodemographics	User-friendly for business applications, strong customer segmentation tools	Proprietary with licensing costs, less suited for complex scientific analysis
Esri StoryMaps	Interactive web-based storytelling with maps and multimedia	Engaging public communication, easy integration with ArcGIS data	Less analytical depth, dependent on ArcGIS ecosystem

• Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation. 

Word Bank!  

Copy down the following word bank. You will use this regularly on FRQ questions as you describe spatial relationships in maps.  

1. Location & Position 

Absolute location — exact coordinates (latitude/longitude) 

Relative location — location described in relation to other places 

Proximity — nearness in space 

Central / Peripheral — near the center or on the edge of a region 

Adjacent — next to or adjoining 

Contiguous — sharing a common border, touching 

2. Direction 

Cardinal directions — north, south, east, west 

Intermediate directions — northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest 

Relative direction — “upstream,” “downtown,” “inland,” etc. 

Orientation — general alignment or facing 

3. Distance 

Absolute distance — measured in standard units (miles, km) 

Relative distance — perceived distance affected by travel time or cost 

Linear distance — straight-line measurement 

Distance decay — interaction decreases with distance 

Time-space compression — perceived shrinking of distance due to improved transportation/communication 

4. Distribution Patterns 

Clustered (concentrated) — close together in space 

Dispersed (scattered) — spread apart 

Linear pattern — along a line (e.g., road, river) 

Radial pattern — radiating outward from a central point 

Random pattern — no discernible order 

Uniform distribution — evenly spaced 

5. Spatial Interaction 

Flows — movement of people, goods, or ideas 

Connectivity — degree of connection between places 

Accessibility — ease of reaching a location 

Spatial association — relationship between the distribution of two variables 

Network — interconnected system (roads, internet cables) 

6. Regional & Scale Relationships 

Core — dominant central area of activity 

Periphery — less developed edge of a region 

Hinterland — area served by a central place 

Transitional zone — area where characteristics blend 

Scale of analysis — local, regional, national, global 

Spatial hierarchy — arrangement of phenomena from largest to smallest scale 

7. Boundaries & Edges 

Boundary — dividing line between regions 

Border zone — area of transition between regions 

Edge effect — changes that occur at the boundary of two regions 

Fringe area — outer portion of a settlement or region 

Contextualization: 

This video breaks down how Google Maps collects information via Satellite.  

In Practice:  

Essential Question:  

How have map making techniques advanced over time? Cite at least three specific examples (label them example 1, example 2 and example 3).  

Conceptual Analysis Questions:  

1. What impact does the way geographical data is collected have on the information that can be presented? (Think of written accounts vs. Policy documents vs. Landscape analysis)  
2. What are the benefits of contemporary (technology based) map making? Are there any disadvantages that you can think of?  

Vocab Review:  

Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

• Geospatial technologies 
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)  
• Satellite Navigation Systems 
• Remote Sensing 
• Online Mapping 
• Visualization  

MCQ Practice:  

(You only need to write the letter for the answer you select). 

Q1. Which of the following is an example of primary data collection in geography? 
A. Using census data from the national government 
B. Interpreting maps created by another geographer 
C. Conducting a door-to-door household survey 
D. Analyzing satellite imagery from NASA 
 

Q2. Which technology combines spatial data with layers of other geographic information to produce detailed maps? 
A. Remote sensing 
B. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) 
C. GPS (Global Positioning System) 
D. Cartogram generation 
  

Q3. A geographer interpreting historic photographs to compare urban growth over time is using which type of data source? 
A. Field observation 
B. Satellite imagery 
C. Qualitative data 
D. Remote sensing