This project analyzed maritime security challenges along Africa's coasts, focusing on piracy, illicit trafficking, and strategic chokepoints, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Strait of Gibraltar. The objective was to evaluate historical piracy patterns, assess shipping route vulnerabilities, and identify potential sites for naval or military bases using geospatial analysis.

To complete this project, I collected and processed multiple datasets, including piracy incident records, global shipping routes, and USGS elevation and terrain data. Using ArcGIS, I joined tables, displayed XY data, symbolized patterns of pirate attacks, and filtered data specific to North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Raster data was reclassified to identify suitable terrain for infrastructure, considering elevation, slope, and land cover. A viewshed analysis was conducted to determine visibility ranges from potential base locations, highlighting areas where observation would be effective.

One of the key outputs was a suitability model for naval and observation base construction. This combined reclassified raster data with slope restrictions (<15°) and visibility layers, while excluding unsuitable terrain such as water or beaches. By integrating piracy incident data with shipping lanes, I was able to pinpoint high-risk maritime zones and evaluate where new bases could provide the most strategic benefit.

This project strengthened my skills in advanced GIS tools, including raster reclassification, terrain analysis, and viewshed modeling. It also reinforced the importance of geospatial intelligence for real-world applications, particularly in informing defense strategy and international trade security. The final maps demonstrated both the urgency of addressing maritime threats and the utility of GIS in supporting strategic-level decision-making.