4. How do we combine geographic information?

Any tool that handles geographic information must also be able to handle the varied ways that location is described. Common methods include map grid references, postcodes and place names. The Environment Agency website allows you to search using all of these methods of assigning location. It also combines maps, tables and graphs of information relating to flooding, waste disposal and pollution so that you can view information about the location where you live that you can not just walk out of your door and ‘see’ (flood risk for a river can’t be viewed outside of a flood).