What does geographic information science focus on?

Geographic information science (GIScience) primarily focuses on understanding the fundamental issues that arise from the use of geospatial technologies. This encompasses various components such as the analysis and modeling of geographical data, the associated methodologies, and the theoretical frameworks that inform how spatial data is collected, managed, and analyzed. It involves a deep inquiry into the nature of geographic information, including how it is represented, communicated, and utilized in decision-making processes.

While the other options touch on relevant aspects of geography, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive focus of GIScience. The physical mapping of the Earth is a component of geography but does not cover the broader theoretical and technical issues central to GIScience. The application of statistical methods is certainly part of geographic data analysis but is a subset of the larger framework of geographic information science. Exploration of human-environment interactions is an essential area of study within geography but is just one of many topics examined through the lens of GIScience, rather than the core focus itself.