Representations, diagrams and visualizations of space and place

Users have a wide choice of artefacts for use in gaining a greater understanding of geography. They are generously provisioned with maps, diagrams, imagery and visualizations that can be output on paper, viewed on screen or manipulated as an interactive product. Generally, in the past these products were generated by a designer/producer prior to actual use. However, relatively recently, 'self-generating' maps have become possible via Web 2.0. These have little or no cartographer input and they are generated from data captured and provided by sensors, cellular telephone data and satellite imagery. They provide immediate geographical visualisations to 'wired' map consumers.