Geographical Data: Characteristics and Sources represents a response to the remarkable growth in the volume of geographical data in recent years, especially in the amount captured directly into a digital format. Information and communication technologies are now the basis for analysing, handling and visualising data about the Earth's surface, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide the tools for performing these tasks within the public, private and educational sectors. This book focuses on the principle sources of geographical data and provides a comprehensive overview of their characteristics and analytical capabilities. Geographical Data: Characteristics and Sources is a unique text in several ways: Details the characteristics of spatial and thematic geographical data relating to the environmental and human domains. These types of data are remotely sensed, cartographic, census/survey, and administrative/statutory Highlights the benefits and drawbacks of using geographical data Focuses on the availability of digital (rather than analogue) geo-referenced datasets Presents a comparative development of spatial data frameworks from countries across the world in Australasia, Asia, Europe and North America Looks to future developments in Internet-based GIS, online access and potential new sources of geographical data. Geographical Data: Characteristics and Sources is intended for professionals within the administrative, commercial, educational, governmental and voluntary sectors, and academic users of GIS technology who want to branch out into new applications involving unfamiliar data sources. It also provides novice users with a guide to the complexities of geographical data.