Geospatial data visualization and analyzation is helpful tool for historians which involves combining data with interactive pictures or maps. This allows the user to address different factors of data at satellite or local views, helping pin point conversions of history in different regions around the world. It is the study of space and spatial movements over time. This study can be broken up into spatial practice, representations of space, and representational space. First spatial practice is day to day acknowledgement of space such as the route we take to work or the route we take to another country depending on scale. Representations of space is the archive of the actual design of space such as a building plan or construction survey. Lastly, representational space is experienced space through human association depicting a certain figurative telling such as a graveyard or concert hall. An example of Geospatial visualization we can all relate to is our phone’s GPS, mapping each road or route and their respective speed limits. This is only possible through the sifting of millions of documents and explains the affect geospatial analyzation can have.
Geospatial data, much like other examples of data analysis covered in previous portfolios is immerse with information uploaded to the internet. Since no human could physically map out each event or place taken from multitudes of documents, this form of analysis is crucial to historian research. It can arise patterns of certain events crossed with geographic mapping over time bringing forth visualization of where conflicts of interest took place. This process of study is made relatively easy and helps the viewer form new questions and arguments at their own discretion. Without the space being presented already analyzed, new conclusions of the past can arise and better our understanding of topics that were overlooked. I believe this way of historical inquiry is very productive and can bring to light many important notions of the past. As the popular phase goes, “A picture can say a thousand words”, which I believe Geospatial visualization holds true.
Just like other digital history techniques, this comes with a downside. However useful it may be, geospatial data only tells a part of the historic story. Views may only piece together their thoughts with the visualization leading to irresponsible study and false information. In some cases, this can be further destructive when the source of the image or map is lying to you. Map makers might leave out concerning data to your interest as they try to present their own interests. These might not be highlighted, and you may be left with conflicting information.
Overall, Geospatial Work is a useful 21st century tool which enables viewers to grasp history in an efficient manner. It helps form new questions from overlooked information and is a genuine way to learn through history if the viewer is studying the information responsibly.