A virtual geographic environment (VGE) is a type of workspace for computer-aided geographic experiments (CAGEs) and geographic analyses. By supporting geo-visualization, geo-simulation, geo-collaboration, and human participation, it provides open virtual environments that correspond to the real world to assist computeraided geographic experiments involving both the physical and human dimensions. Based on a discussion of how VGEs can contribute to CAGEs and geographic analyses, this article proposes a clear, systematic framework for VGEs. Four subenvironments are discussed according to their different functions, pertinent issues, and corresponding solutions: (1) the data environment, (2) the modeling and simulation environment, (3) the interactive environment, and (4) the collaborative environment. Furthermore, a case on the simulation of air pollution and its analysis at different geographic scales is used to demonstrate VGEs' ability to facilitate computer-aided geographic experiments. Key Words: subenvironments of VGE, systematic framework for VGE, virtual geographic environment (VGE).Un entorno geográfico virtual (EGV) es un tipo de espacio de trabajo para experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador (EGAC) y para análisis geográficos. Al apoyar la geo-visualización, geo-simulación, geo-colaboración y la participación humana, tal espacio de trabajo provee entornos virtuales abiertos que corresponden al mundo real para ayudar en experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador que involucran las dimensiones tanto físicas como humanas. Con base en una discusión sobre cómo los EGV pueden contribuir a los EGAC y a los análisis geográficos, este artículo propone un marco claro y sistemático para los EGV. Se discuten cuatro subentornos a partir de sus diferentes funciones, asuntos pertinentes y soluciones correspondientes: (1) el entorno de los datos, (2) el entorno de la modelización y la simulación, (3) el entorno interactivo, y (4) el entorno colaborativo. Aun más, se utiliza un caso simulado de polución aérea y su análisis a diferentes escalas geográficas para demostrar la capacidad de los EGAC para facilitar los experimentos geográficos apoyados en computador.
Palabras clave: sub-entornos de EGV, marco sistemático para los EGAC, entorno geográfico virtual (EGV).G eography has traditionally been concerned with people, the physical environment, and their relationships (Murphey 1982). The spatiotemporal distribution of phenomena, processes, and features is studied by geographers to elucidate complex interactions between vast and closely interrelated human and environmental systems (Ackerman 1963;Renwick and Rubenstein 1995;Lin 1997;Armstrong 2000;Herbert and Matthews 2004). During this process, various theories, methodologies, and technologies have been employed to assist geographic research (Brunn, Cutter, and Harrington 2004;Clifford, French, and Valentine 2010;Gomez and Jones 2010), and computer-aided geographic experiments (CAGEs) have frequently been used to improve the analyses (Matthews and Herbert 2008)...