Which of the following is an example of VGI?

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) refers to the geographic information that is generated and updated by individuals or groups voluntarily, often through crowdsourcing methods. OpenStreetMap stands out as a prime example of VGI, as it is a collaborative mapping project that allows users to create and edit map data. Contributors from around the world add details about roads, buildings, and various geographic features based on their local knowledge or observations.

This community-driven approach enables a more dynamic and updated representation of geographical information, often filling gaps that traditional mapping organizations may overlook. The nature of OpenStreetMap facilitates contributions from anyone, making it both a global collaboration platform and a rich source of geographic data that is freely available to users.

In contrast, Google Earth functions more as a visualization tool rather than a platform for user-generated content in the same participatory manner as OpenStreetMap. The Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL) is primarily a library for working with raster and vector geospatial data formats, and it does not involve user-generated mapping. Data from the National Geographic Society is typically produced by professionals and is not sourced from volunteer contributions, making it distinct from VGI.