Abstract: The US Department of State's Humanitarian Information Unit (HIU) is developing a new product and web-based visualization analysis tool, known as VISTA (Visualized Information & Synthesized Temporal Analysis). VISTA displays geo-spatial, temporal, numerical/graphic data and textual information, all in one product or via a web interface. VISTA is primarily intended for use by decision-makers, analysts, desk/project officers, and others to provide up-to-date common operating picture ie a vista about an emergency, issue or project.