Geographical visualization: Past, present and future development

Geographical Visualization has formalised the use of New Media and digital technologies for depicting geography. Powerful and innovative tools enable users to explore geographical information and to appreciate both `broadbrush' geographical concepts and discrete and associated geographical phenomena. Since the late 1980s interest has grown in developing geographical visualization tools to assist in personal and collaborative use of the myriad of data sets available about things geographical. This has resulted in the conceptualisation of different theoretical approaches to what we do, and new ways for viewing and using geographical information. This paper provides an overview of geographical visualization and how it has, is and can be used. It also addresses the need for geographical visualization producers to embrace a closer collaboration with the GIScience community so as to provide tools that are based on the strong analytical applications of GIS packages. And, it highlights the need for applying the techniques of user-centered design to ensure that usable geospatial products are created and delivered.