Over the past eight years I’ve worked very closely with computers as a Computer Science major, and one of the huge conveniences I appreciate is map software(if you have a GPS system you see this daily). Computer Science and geography fit together incredibly well, and both subjects are becoming more and more intertwined. The increasing technological advancements in computers have helped to aid geography in many ways. Computer science has contributed greatly to the field of geography and has allowed geographers to accurately and spectacularly view and observe the earth and human culture.
Three major ways in which computers have changed geography are in geography software, remote sensing, and mapping. Geography and computer science are two disciples that combine together very well. Many of the skills that modern Physical Geographers use are computer based, and advanced study of Physical Geography goes hand-in-hand with computers. Physical Geography can provide applied examples of the use of computers in an environmental context, and computer science can give the technical background to some of the techniques that Physical Geographers encounter. There are many different ways to combine the knowledge and skills between the two subjects.
The advancement of computer science has allowed for great increases in the quality and power of geography software. Today there are cars with navigation systems that are based on Global Positioning Systems. These navigation systems feature huge maps that can cover the whole United States. The maps are detailed and have every road, river, and highway included. These navigation systems are becoming more and more affordable, and demonstrate a relation between geography and computer science.
There are many other geography software programs that facilitate the study of geography. There are mapping software that can aid cartography, map production and revision, geospatial metadata, and different landform scanning programs. For example, there are topographic mapping applications like an Aero-Triangulation System software that is a collection of Fortran and C programs, UNIX scrips, and text files that are used to produce image coordinate enhancment, block adjustment, stastistical reporting, and plotting of maps. There are also geologic mapping applications like that compile geologic maps in the computer as spatial databases and that can be used to make cartographic pictures and analytic solutions. Additionally, geophysical programs assist studies of the oceanic landforms and other geological formations.
Furthermore, there are many computer programs for home-users and the general public that greatly aid the study of geography. Programs like Microsoft Atlas feature thousands of maps for the whole world. These programs often feature multimedia elements that allow the user to explore the earth in many ways. For example, there are population maps and movies that help to teach geography. Another important development is GIS, which is Geographic Information Systems. This is a method of map-making that is solely produced by the computer. The computer programs can analyze, manipulate, and display spatial information on the screen. You can see maps of resources, physical landforms, and many other advancements.
Another very important link between computer science and geography is remote sensing. Remote sensing is a very broad subject that allows for the extracting of information about an object without coming into any physical contact with that object. This is a broad definition, though. In relation to geography remote sensing allows for the observation of the earth’s physical features through electronic equipment that is designed with computer software. Remote sensing allows for geographers to view the earth from thousands of miles above the surface of the earth. This greatly enhances the subjects of meteorology and geographical techniques. Through remote sensing geographers can learn about the earth’s land, water, and atmosphere. They can also learn about the condition of water quality, vegetation, pollution levels, and mountain ranges.
Remote sensing also allows geographers to construct extremely precise maps that greatly aid cartographers. The link between geography and computer science continues to grow stronger. Hopefully, in the future these technologies will aid in solving some of the world’s severe problems with overpopulation, pollution, natural disasters, and agriculture.
These technologies are giving geographers greater freedom to study remote areas of the world. The changes that have occurred in geography because of computer science have been vital to the field, and will continue to speed up research and discovery.
Sources
Blij, Harm De. Geography Book. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Singapore. 1995.
GlobeXplorer. http:/www.globeexplorer.com/ (December 1, 2003)
Keele University Undergraduate Prospectus 2003. http://www.keele.ac.uk/courses/up/up2003/textonly/dhcourses/geogphyis(December 2, 2003)
Rees, W. G. Physical Principles of Remote Sensing. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. 2001.
Schott, John R. Remote Sensing. Oxford University Press: New York. 1997
USGS Mapping ScienceSoftware.http://mappings.usgs.gov/www/products/software.html. (December 3, 2003)