It is important to distinguish between "data" and "information". Data are directly measured variables that represent incoming solar radiation, air temperature, precipitation, etc. Information is the result of utilizing a statistical simulation or other type of model, such that the output can be used to make a decision. Climatic data can be displayed by point (e.g. meteorological station), by region (e.g. country), by continent (e.g. Africa), for the entire globe. They can be used to define the climate of a specific location and to assess its potential and constraints in terms of natural resources. Climatic data can be also estimated at locations for which no observations are available through a spatial interpolation process.