Intro to Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - answer- computerized systems designed for
the storage, retrieval, and analysis of geographically referenced data
How Does GIS Work? - answer- GIS uses advanced analytical tools to explore at a
scientific level the spatial relationships, patterns, and processes of cultural, biological,
demographic, economic, geographic, and physical phenomena
Tools for GIS - answer- Hardware: Computer, Digitizer, Scanner, Printer/Plotter
- Software: Desktop GIS, Internet GIS, CAD Software, Database software
- Multimedia: photos, videos, 3D models, WWW
- GIS Personnel
Unique Capabilities of GIS - answer- GIS stores related geographic features in separate
collections of files called MAP LAYERS
- Map layers can be reused easily and assembled into any number of map
compositions and overlaid for analysis
GIS Answers the Following Questions... - answer1. Location: What is at...? Where is it?
2. Condition: Status of features?
3. Trends: What has changed since...?
4. Patterns: What spatial patterns exist?
5. Modeling: What if....?
Scale of GIS data - answer- global to local
Vector Data - answer- Map Features: points, lines, polygons
- Feature Attributes: every feature has attributes (name, area, population)
Raster Data - answer- stored ELECTRONIC IMAGE or PICTURE taken as an aerial
photograph or satellite image
- composed of a rectangular array of square cells, called pixels, with a number in each
cell representing the solid color fill of that cell
GIS Example - answer- Identify polluting companies and their proximity to populations in
poverty, water features, or schools.
1. Start with: databases & map layers
2. Add additional map layers: political features (municipalities), physical features (lakes,
rivers, etc.), Administrative data (schools)
3. Maps & tables are INTERACTIVE
(GIS)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - answer- computerized systems designed for
the storage, retrieval, and analysis of geographically referenced data
How Does GIS Work? - answer- GIS uses advanced analytical tools to explore at a
scientific level the spatial relationships, patterns, and processes of cultural, biological,
demographic, economic, geographic, and physical phenomena
Tools for GIS - answer- Hardware: Computer, Digitizer, Scanner, Printer/Plotter
- Software: Desktop GIS, Internet GIS, CAD Software, Database software
- Multimedia: photos, videos, 3D models, WWW
- GIS Personnel
Unique Capabilities of GIS - answer- GIS stores related geographic features in separate
collections of files called MAP LAYERS
- Map layers can be reused easily and assembled into any number of map
compositions and overlaid for analysis
GIS Answers the Following Questions... - answer1. Location: What is at...? Where is it?
2. Condition: Status of features?
3. Trends: What has changed since...?
4. Patterns: What spatial patterns exist?
5. Modeling: What if....?
Scale of GIS data - answer- global to local
Vector Data - answer- Map Features: points, lines, polygons
- Feature Attributes: every feature has attributes (name, area, population)
Raster Data - answer- stored ELECTRONIC IMAGE or PICTURE taken as an aerial
photograph or satellite image
- composed of a rectangular array of square cells, called pixels, with a number in each
cell representing the solid color fill of that cell
GIS Example - answer- Identify polluting companies and their proximity to populations in
poverty, water features, or schools.
1. Start with: databases & map layers
2. Add additional map layers: political features (municipalities), physical features (lakes,
rivers, etc.), Administrative data (schools)
3. Maps & tables are INTERACTIVE
