Important Facts on Canada's Natural Resources

Geomatics and Geoscience

Geomatics and geoscience are complementary earth sciences that provide a detailed picture of the physical world and our place in it.
Geomatics consists of products, services and tools involved in the collection, integration and management of geographic data. Geographic information can be retrieved from various sources, including earth-orbiting satellites, ground-based instruments and airborne and seaborne sensors. These data are transformed into digital maps and other usable forms with state-of-the-art information technology.
Geoscience includes geology, geophysics, geochemistry and geodesy. It deals with all aspects of the physical earth, including mineral and energy resources; hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and space weather phenomena; and geological controls on groundwater and climate.
Industry, governments and the public rely on geomatics and geoscience information and technologies for many purposes, ranging from forest management and energy and mineral exploration to environmental stewardship, emergency management and the monitoring of Canada’s territory and borders.

Geographic information systems (GISs), global positioning systems (GPSs), remote sensing, location-based services and technologies, and Web-based services are growing rapidly, bringing modern geomatics tools to the computers and cell phones of the average citizen and small business.
Canada’s resource-based economy depends on innovations in geoscience for the life cycle of resource exploration, development and rehabilitation. Modern geoscience has helped Canada become a leading producer of diamonds.

Geomatics is rapidly growing as a professional field in the global market. Technological innovations and value-added applications in such fields as satellite-based remote sensing, GISs and GPSs are experiencing considerable growth and show export potential.
Canada is a world leader in the niche markets of remote sensing data and applications, including mapping from space, sea-floor mapping and hydrography.
Canada is recognized internationally for developing customized GIS applications for urban planning, agriculture, geo-marketing and natural resources management.
Major international markets for Canadian geomatics firms include North America, the Middle East and Latin America. International demand for geomatics products and services will continue to increase, stimulating the growth of the industry in the coming years.
Canada continues to be a world leader in geoscience and geomatics applications and technology, principally in minerals and energy exploration and development. Canada provides much of the information, expertise and technology used around the world for the responsible development of natural resources.

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