We define the Lie group G2 and show several equivalent ways to view G2. We do the same with its Lie algebra g2. We identify a new basis for g2 using Bryant’s view of g2 and geometric considerations we develop. We then show how to construct a matrix representation of G2 given our particular basis for g2. We examine the geometry of 1 and 2-parameter subgroups of G2. Finally, we suggest an area of further research using the new geometric characterization we developed for g2.