Definitively speaking, geospatial technologies refer to an array of uber-modern tools used for geographic analysis and mapping of human societies as well as the Earth in general. These tools in their infancy were mere offsprings of the first ever maps prepared during prehistoric times.
Back in 19th century, mapmaking and cartography schools became one with the latest invention of aerial photography when early camera devices were fitted to pigeons & balloons and sent aloft. With the dawn of computers and satellites during the years of World War II and Cold War, images of human activities and the surface of the Earth became a reality.
Soon after, development of advanced digital software, data sets and maps followed, and they helped in depicting environmental phenomena & socio-economic phenomena effectively, which collectively came to be called GIS or geographic information systems.
Typically, a GIS assembles geospatial data in the form of layered maps for allowing analysis of complicated themes as well as their communication to the wider audiences. The process of layering is made possible by the presence of information about the precise location, from where the data actually is. And that’s how the term ‘geospatial’ originated.
As of now, there are various geospatial technologies available all across the world. Let’s take a detailed look at the most popular ones, from the point of view of an experienced geospatial consultant in Sydney:
GIS (geographic information systems)
This consists of software applications & tools designed to map and analyse data that can be georeferenced (allocated a particular location on the Earth’s surface, which is called geospatial data). GIS can also be utilised for detecting other geographic patterns, like disease clusters from access to sub-optimal water, toxins, and so on.
Internet mapping technologies
In the modern times, several web features & software programs such as MS Visual Earth and Google Earth are revolutionising the traditional ways of viewing & sharing geospatial data. They are also allowing a larger audience to have access to such technologies.
Remote sensing
This refers to data & images captured using air- and spaceborne sensor platforms & cameras. Certain commercial providers of satellite images also offer pictures which show details of 1 m or even smaller. Such images come in handy to monitor human rights abuses & humanitarian needs.
Apart from the above mentioned, there is also the widespread GPS technology, which is available to nearly anyone with a smartphone. It can be easily used for finding specific locations and viewing various geographical features.
