> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/geo-visualization.md).

# Geo Visualization

Geographical data is any data that contains geographical information.

There are 2 categories of geographical information:

1. **Spatial Objects**
   * shape and spatial extent matters  
   * the map is the main object of interest  
   * for example: counties, regions, buildings, lakes etc.
2. **Non-Spatial Geolocated Objects**
   * shape and spatial extent do not matter  
   * the map is only used as reference  
   * for example: cars, people, animals, weather stations etc.

## Types of Spatial Objects

* **Regions**\
  For example: country borders
* **Locations**  \
  For example: latitude, longitude
* **Identifiers**\
  Names/labels given to spatial objects, for example: zip code, street name, borough

**Geocoding** is the process of translating an identifier to a specific location (for example state name to location), while **Reverse Geocoding** is the process of translating a location to an identifier (for example location to state name).