Unit 1: Types of Geographic Data

Question 1

What is remote sensing?

Answer 1

-a process of collecting information about Earth’s surface from satellites orbiting the Earth
-shows the changes in our planet (urban sprawl, deforestation, and changes in our climate)

Question 2

What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

Answer 2

-a computer system that can collect, analyze, and display geographic data
-where the data from remote sensing may be inputted

Question 3

What is a place?

Answer 3

a specific point on the Earth’s surface that has one or more unique characteristics

Question 4

What is a Global Positioning System (GPS)

Answer 4

-a network of satellites that are used to determine the location of something on Earth’s surface-
-used with navigation and agriculture

Question 5

What are geospatial technologies?

Answer 5

-GPS
-GIS
-Remote Sensing

Question 6

What are field observations?

Answer 6

-data being gathered in the real world
-great for accurate data
-may not be feasible due to cost or practical

Question 7

What can geographers refer to, to help collect geographic data without physically being at a place?

Answer 7

-media reports
-travel narratives
-government documents
-personal interviews

Question 8

What do media reports do?

Answer 8

-show what is happening within an area
-give insight on what the people in an area are experiencing

Question 9

What do travel narratives do?

Answer 9

-what people think of a place
-what the observed
-what they experienced
-show an unfiltered perspective on an area

Question 10

What do government documents do?

Answer 10

-shows 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

Question 11

What do personal interviews do?

Answer 11

-gain valuable insight by talking to individuals who live in the place

Question 12

What is landscape analysis?

Answer 12

the study of wildlife, vegetation, and physical elements of a place

Question 13

What is photo analysis?

Answer 13

the study of photos to help understand the culture, demographic, population density, and what’s happening in a place

Question 14

What are the two categories of data?

Answer 14

-qualitative data
-quantitative data

Question 15

What is qualitative data?

Answer 15

-information that is presented in word form
-often up for interpretation or debate
-shows an individuals’ thoughts

Question 16

What is quantitative data?

Answer 16

-information that can be counted and presented in number form
-not up for debate
-not opinions