Description

This innovative App has been developed by theWorld Bank to improve awareness of the growing collection of globalpublic-domain datasets useful for those interested in developmentissues. It helps access and visualize multi-sectoral spatial andtemporal data from a range of institutions by drawing upon theirmap and data services. An amazing array of information puts theworld in your hands!

Solutions to many of the existing and evolving developmentchallenges faced across the globe are hampered by the pooravailability of critical spatial and temporal data. There are manynew high-quality datasets (e.g. from earth observation andsystematic collation and analysis of national data) available froma number of institutions (e.g. UN agencies, NASA, NOAA, CIESIN,IRI, The World Bank, etc.) that still are little-known especiallyin the developing world. The World Bank has committed to improvingdata transparency and open data platforms, including the enhanceduse of mobile App platforms for promoting sustainable developmentthat have benefitted from a series of World Bank Apps and Appcompetitions organized by the World Bank.

The “Spatial Agent” Mobile App has been developed to takeadvantage of new capabilities to visualize this growing range ofspatial and temporal development-related data on mobile platforms.The App demonstrates a simple but extremely powerful approach tovisualize a range of public-domain spatial datasets throughinteractive maps and charts to allow for data visualization atdifferent scales and ranges. The approach literally puts the globein the users hands and allows one to access a burgeoning group ofpublic-domain multi-sectoral datasets (including at global,regional, and national levels) being developed for use by variousdevelopment-related institutions and governments across the world.So whether you are interested in water resources or climate change,disaster management or general development, this is a must-have Appfor you! The simplicity of use and wealth of information is sure toappeal to you – whether you are a student, developmentprofessional, or a Minister!

All the questions that enquiring minds want to know are now at yourfingertips:
Which areas in the Middle-East have experienced rain in the last 3hours? What does the global snow cover look like today? What is thepopulation distribution in the Sahel? How have humans changed thelandscape globally since 1700? What is the seasonal andyear-to-year precipitation pattern in Entebbe? Which areas in theCaspian Sea have high chlorophyll concentration? What is thedifference in the climate model projections for rainfall in thenext century across models? Which areas are susceptible toearthquakes in Chile? Which areas in India have high childmalnutrition? Which areas in Madagascar are susceptible topotential flooding? Where are the protected areas in Tanzania? Howdoes Vietnam's GDP per capita growth compare with that of Ethiopiain recent years? What is the current level of the Aswan reservoirand Lake Victoria? How fast is the population in Lagos rising? Howdo the Niger Basin countries compare in terms of the % women intheir parliaments? Which areas of eastern Asia have recentlyexperienced Category 5 tropical cyclones? The list isendless…

We do hope you like this first release of this product - please douse the information with caution as many datasets are stillevolving. Please do send us your suggestions for improvement, andespecially new public-domain data services or functionality thatyou would like us to feature!