Many problem domains have a strong geographic aspect: the physical locations of things become very significant to the overall problem. Such domains are best served by visualization tools based on a geo-spatial reference: maps, satellite images, and the like. These tools are generally referred to as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the core of these GIS systems is geo-spatial visualization.

But there is more to geo-spatial visualization that just putting objects on a map. While the geographic reference is critical to provide the necessary spatial context, other information must be readily available - and coordinated with the geo-referenced data - in order to give the analyst the real picture of what is happening.

This image to the right - from MeerCAT, our system for managing dynamic networks of mobile cyber assets - illustrates this concept.

The image below offers a different perspective on geo-spatial visualization, with geographic and supporting information all combined into a single, integrated visualization. 

This image is from IWViz, a visual system initially developed my MITRE that SecureDecisions now supports.