World Geography: Human/Environment Interaction

Technology

Technology uses tools to create, describe, and analyze information. Information technology is used in the field of geography to describe and explain the spatial structure of people and their world. Examples of information technology include the following:

• Mapping
• Global/Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Computerized mapping is the process of making maps with computers instead of cartographers (map makers) drawing the maps by hand.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer databases that individuals, businesses, and governments use to study sustainability and the spatial structure of society. The databases

• collect data;
• manage data;
• analyze data; and
• provide data results.

This table describes examples of possible uses of GIS databases.

Field	Application
Industry	Transportation routes Manufacturing processes Marketing demographics Population density Production efficiency Sales
Health	Disease control – tracking location and spread of diseases Location of healthcare centers Population densities for insurance rates Access to medical supplies Death rates from various causes, such as cancer
Safety and Emergency Services	Tracking location of law enforcement, ambulance, and fire services Tracking and improving response time
Weather	Causes and effects of climate change and global warming Tracking storms Probabilities of disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods Glacial melting Locations and effects of droughts
Conservation	Destruction of forests and wildlife habitats
Government Aid	Locations Types needed Amounts of aid Resources for aid Personnel needed Similarity of past conditions in other areas

A Global Positioning System (GPS) can be useful for businesses to track shipments and for transportation providers to determine directions to destinations. In the past, drivers used hard copies of road maps for directions to a destination. Today, they likely use GPS. Government agencies and departments use a GPS system in various situations, depending on the project. For example, a local government may use GPS to track vehicles, such as snowplows, to provide better services and to conserve funds.

KEEP IN MIND . . .
Technology can help individuals access and analyze data to become better informed.

Example

Which of the following is a difference between GIS and GPS?

A. They are positioning devices.
B. They are information databases.
C. Individuals use GIS, but governments and businesses use GPS.
D. GIS is a computer-based information system, but GPS obtains its information from satellites.

The correct answer is D. GIS and GPS are different technology tools that serve different purposes.