Geography Gear: 10 Tools That Map Out Our World

3rd April, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

[{"selector":"#anim-1c1a8703-0baf-4cec-abfd-7f53619f0c3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.0922003352335423%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68ada4ed-911e-4c02-8685-a13a6c015fb3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f300308f-9dc6-4aa2-9bb3-4d0b5f944643","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Discover the instruments behind geographical discoveries. From ancient devices to cutting-edge tech, let's explore! Learn more

1: Compass

[{"selector":"#anim-77f94de5-52cd-4477-9ec5-c67a5ccbd541 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.173551150974248%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-822bf0ac-e0cb-4360-acce-9eeb0bcf0ce8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1582fd62-6905-43d0-9ded-6d5337b45647","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4acbf68d-88bd-4e33-a8da-98fe7865860a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e51e977e-5a32-4d80-9943-2e388caa0174","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Ancient but essential, it reveals direction. A must-have for any explorer.

2: Maps

[{"selector":"#anim-0d211446-0628-4666-800d-209283bb45a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(18.46099303979252%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71291574-c2d5-423c-952c-06642644faac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8baa96b7-3a68-47ed-81ad-2e52d5b3e61a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ed045e5b-1929-4019-a60c-7aa5bb58f569","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e98847da-ed08-4b8d-8148-0519232ac612","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Physical or digital, they offer a visualization of our world, showing both natural and human-made features.

3: GPS (Global Positioning System)

[{"selector":"#anim-c19315b2-e0bb-4bd4-bfa3-45722117e21f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.290104490677347%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76d660c2-5938-4471-bac4-e919cb440449","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70ff5edd-1982-4a2d-800f-8559f1ddbccf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc9ae2e7-c6e6-4286-8442-6aeec46cf6d9","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b5bc34c-9146-48a0-8e73-a53008fc937b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Satellite-based system enables precise location tracking and navigation.

4: GIS (Geographic Information System)

[{"selector":"#anim-4e9e4715-fd6c-4179-bfbe-243f02853903 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-25.875189420069155%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de8996de-4410-4449-b804-9d47f91eda52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a8015d6-a998-4d3b-a457-33092d2f3693","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b617586-a9cc-42f8-a240-5f8ef3cdb90f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ba4aed3-85a0-4660-b0c8-026054513479","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Powerful software combines maps, data, and analysis, revealing patterns and trends.

5: Theodolite

[{"selector":"#anim-535edebc-9b4a-4113-9f09-c8ccb82bab9a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-11.020463297031945%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fafa3126-ed25-4ad1-9c37-bc10c38399be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83fcb158-e059-43b8-9a54-1d292da91c77","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d425a83-c55f-4fed-a15f-d7f56e464a69","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7446d79c-1eba-45ee-be17-16b82962adca","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Surveyor's tool for measuring angles, vital for accurate mapping and land development.

6: Ground-penetrating radar

[{"selector":"#anim-55ccd87f-34e2-4679-9741-d68a41577bf3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.13445222519301%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c939e9b9-dd3f-430e-b17c-9cee66d44a3f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e656e443-e912-427f-88f8-bfb30c792114","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c705292-d54d-44d2-9e26-faad5fc21725","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e0b4e1f-1912-4bbb-8cec-d4f3bad9aea9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sends waves into the earth to create images of buried features, uncovering hidden history. Learn more

7: Weather stations

[{"selector":"#anim-76d78126-79e6-408c-a679-93683d15da16 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.61368932534284%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b7f82381-33b1-490b-abef-375870a28bff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7c79868-5e51-49ef-afa4-caf6493b7982","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55155b2d-f47e-430c-8af9-9d6afa7ed9cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8805e75-c2e7-4ec2-8410-813ed316409f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Collect weather data (temperature, precipitation, etc.) to help analyze patterns and predict climate. Learn more

8: Clinometer

[{"selector":"#anim-69cc6049-c0d1-4627-9cd4-a163832f1e45 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.473078396819187%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8757e557-95f2-490d-8699-e1933cf379f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20d3ba6e-07d0-4a09-9ca1-5556c1eb5307","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1aa3b5a-3033-4115-9baf-163dcb7417b2","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6573512b-eeec-487c-9a0f-055e90fb60d4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Measures slope angles, crucial for understanding landforms and potential hazards like landslides. Learn more

9: Drones

[{"selector":"#anim-4798d2a5-ed99-43bc-8045-b92706badc92 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.42209133199063%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a96b5a4-5361-461b-a29a-5791b32657aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9543a146-9fd3-49c6-81cb-8b0fb959070f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbc553e7-6024-4838-8a67-10675e3272b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30947806-b0bb-48d1-befd-3194b5cf8abc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Unmanned vehicles with cameras and sensors capture high-resolution aerial imagery for mapping. Learn more

10: Remote Sensing

[{"selector":"#anim-d53395cc-b259-409e-bdc9-cde37bc71dab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.59535994596682%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84f48de2-ca7f-4fee-b81e-8080c5915145","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-abf85b44-7d68-48b4-9456-24d4adbe527d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-437cbb2d-cafa-47c8-97f6-050633357e38","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62bce707-fd86-4dba-8cba-cceabe89ca32","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Gathering data from satellites and aircraft without direct contact, offering a global perspective. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-b17cb8e1-2ca3-4a4e-8e3c-74fc9a6423c5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.4815083368180018%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f774c263-004a-4b3b-a0f5-f1a45737d0ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f00fbdde-6fe7-41b3-a588-402fcae37cca","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Geographers embrace technology! Their toolkit evolves, unlocking new insights about our ever-changing planet. Learn more