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Glossary of Terms
Aerial Photography The method of taking photographs from a camera in an airplane or balloon.
The resulting photographs may be classified as 1.) Vertical photography (some times called
orthophotography, is used for drawing maps and plans and requires a high degree of accuracy).
2.) Oblique photography (used for showing perspective and gives better visual effects, but does
not provide accurate measurements).
Coordinate System The system used to measure horizontal and vertical distances on a map
or drawing that illustrates features in a two-dimensional view.
Geospatial a way to describe a class of data that has a geographic or spatial nature.
GIS a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing features (water, buildings, roads, etc.)
and events (tornados, hurricanes, forest fires, etc.)
GPS Global Positioning System a.k.a. Global Positioning Satellite Uses 24 satellites that
orbit the earth twice a day, receivers and software that allow a user to determine their exact
geographic position on the earths surface.
Map Graphic representation of the physical features (natural, artificial, or both) of a
part or the whole of the Earth's surface, by means of signs and symbols or photographic imagery,
at an established scale, on a specified projection, and with the means of orientation indicated.
Orthophotography Aerial photographs that more precisely show the features of the
landscape, including those that might be important for agriculture such as slope or size of
gullies, because they are corrected for distortion caused by tilt, curvature, and ground relief.
Photogrammetry The system of gathering information about physical objects through aerial
photography and satellite imagery.
Rectification Process of removing the effects of tilt, elevations, and other distortions
from map data (or images).
Remote Sensing The collection of data on land use, industrial activity, weather, climate,
geology and other processes through Earth observations from satellites in outer space.
Satellite Imagery Pictures taken of the Earths surface from a satellite that orbits the
earth from space.
Scale The ratio between the size of something and how it is represented.
Spatial Location means that it occupies a measurable position in space relative to the
surface of the earth.
Topographic Map A map of land-source features including drainage lines, roads, landmarks,
and usually relief, or elevation.
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