虚拟地理环境的多维数据模型与地理过程表达

该文通过剖析虚拟地理环境所表达的地球表层空间与其在计算机空间的映射之间的关系，定义了一维、二维、三维及多维虚拟地理环境；指出虚拟地理环境与传统地图、GIS的区别及联系。阐述近年来虚拟地理环境研究对地理学乃至地球科学研究方法和手段的影响以及对地理科学思维方式和重点研究领域的影响。

The Multi - Dimension Data Model of Virtual Geographic Environments and Its Expression in Geographical Processes

The mapping relation between the earth's surface spaces expressed by virtual geographic environments and the spaces of computer had been analyzed.The virtual geographic environments of one dimension,two dimensions,three dimensions and multi-dimensions had been defined,and along with the advancement of computer graphics,the virtual geographic environments (VGE) changed the methods,instruments and paradigm of geographic sciences and earth sciences.Today,the data models of the virtual geographic environments were still limited to the surface models and volume models,and there were many perplexing operations during the transformation.The issues of data model had become major obstacle of the VGE development.It was the urgent business to build a multi-dimensional data transform model that could have the ability to exert effect in the research of geographic process and geographic variables.In other words,the initial function of VGE is just an extensive part of the geographic sciences,now it gets through the course of simple spatial analysis.As a method or a paradigm of geographic sciences the VGE made a great visualization of geographic process and geographic variables in computer space whether they could be seen or not.