Geocomputation

Geocomputation is a recent term coined to encompass the new and rapidly expanding research areas tied together by their interests in spatial data. It encompasses spatial data collection, spatial data storage, spatial data visualisation, and spatial data analysis in a variety of substantive application areas.

Many forms of information used by both businesses and government are inherently spatial. Some of the more obvious examples of spatial data include: the location of population; the effects of pollution; transportation impacts; the spread and distribution of disease; the incidence of crime; the efficient operation of services; disaster management; the monitoring of environmental issues such as flooding and the processing of satellite imagery.

It is of little surprise to learn that the capture, display, and analysis of spatial data has become, according to a recent study by the Department of Labor in the United States of America, one of the three most important envolving employment fields, along with biotechnology and nanotechnology.