GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

GRADES 10-12
GRADE 10, 11 and 12
What is GIS?
GIS is the abbreviation used for a Geographic Information System which is an organized
collection of hardware, software, geographic data and personnel, used to capture, store,
manipulate, analyse, manage, display and output data and/or information which can be spatially
referenced to the earth
What is Geographical data?
It is information about things that exist and things that happen anywhere on Earth.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
How do you collect Geographical data?
GIS Notes  Through remote sensing.
 People that collect information e.g. surveyors
and  To convert information on maps in digital form
 Using existing information on documents and capture it on computer programs.
Questions and Answers
Fieldworker
Another method to gather data (information) is to make use of a fieldworker that must physically
go to a certain area to get the data. The following equipment etc. is used by a fieldworker
namely: camera, charts, compasses, computers, GPS, graphics, aerial photography, satellite
images, topographic maps, city and road maps.

What is remote sensing?

COMPILED BY LH SMITH
Method of taking pictures of the earth’s surface without having physical contact with it.
(Edited by SDJ Nduze) Satellites, aircrafts and drones are used from a distance to take photos of the earth’s surface.

Who is using remote sensing and why?

 Nature conservation e.g. to count the Rhinos, Lions etc.
 Police service to combat crime
 Military to gather information on the enemy
 Agricultural companies to get info on desertification, crops, crop diseases, etc.
 Municipalities – to photograph their city, to assist them in town planning

Types of remote sensing

 Passive remote sensing: Measure energy radiating from earth like temperature, soil type,
land use, etc.
 Active remote sensing: Satellites sends out microwave radiation to earth and then the
satellite measures the radiation earth sends back to the satellite. This gives information
about minerals, rocks, vegetation, ocean currents, etc.

Types of data
 Attribute data: This data is descriptive information about an area like a road, a river
or a town. For example, the attributes of a mountain might be its
name, width, total length and its height. Attribute information is
stored in a table in the GIS program.

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  Spatial data: It is the geographic map features like point, lines and polygons and What are pixels?
It’s co-ordinates, (specific location) of these data which are stored in Digital photos are all about how many rectangular cells (this is pixel blocks) covering an area
the GIS program. (photo) the higher the number of pixels the clearer and sharper the photo is (high pixels). For
example, a photo of digital camera indicating 6 pixels will be a better quality photo than the
Raster and Vector data same photo taken with a 3 pixel digital camera.
GIS image data is stored in two different ways.
Spatial resolution
Vector: Is co-ordinate-based. It uses points, lines and polygons. The data file for a vector How clear and detailed the location and shape of a feature is.
image contains the location coordinator.
Raster: Is cell based. It shows graphics as rows and columns of tiny rectangular pixels Global positioning system (GPS)
(pictures). Examples of raster data are digital pictures from satellites and from Satellites in space used to determine locations on the earth’s surface. Today we can use a
digital cameras (like cellphone camera). GPS in cars for route planning.

What are points, lines and polygons? GPS errors

Point features: are map features that have no length or area and are indicated on a map GPS errors occur because satellites drift slightly from their orbits. GPS signals are delayed
with a point like a school. when it travel through the atmosphere. GPS receivers are also not perfect.
Line features: are map features that have length but no area, this on a map is for example
a river. Capturing of data (information)
Polygon (area) features: are two-dimensional shapes for example a dam. To capture all the data that was collected on a computer is called digitizing. Digitize is the
process of converting the original data to a digital format that can be handled by a computer.

Advantages and disadvantages of Raster and Vector file formats Data manipulation
Vector advantages: The ability to manipulate the data so that the system can perform a wide range of functions. In
 Because vector graphics are not made up of pixels, images can be scaled up to be very order to change or rearrange data to make it more meaningful. For example; if an engineer is
large without losing quality. planning to build a road bridge over a river he only needs certain data like the contour lines on a
 It needs a smaller file size because a large uniform area can be defined only by its point topographical map, the flood line, the buffer zone of the river, type of soil formation, volume of
co-ordinates. traffic, etc.
 It is easier to handle vector data on a computer than raster data because it has fewer
data items. Analysis of data
 Vector data is simpler to update. The engineer will then study the data he received and determine where the bridge should be
built then determine the height of the bridge, etc.
Vector disadvantages:
 They take a long time to create. Buffering
 They don’t show some shapes properly, especially sharply curved shapes. To demarcate (mark off) an area around an object. The marked-off area is called the buffer
zone.
Raster advantages:
Spatial Object
 Raster graphics are great for showing very complicated images, such as photographs.
Any feature on earth which we can record as a point, a line or a polygon.
 They come up on computer screens quickly.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Raster disadvantages:
1. Explain the term data manipulation.
 The images are made up of pixels. When they are enlarged the image becomes ‘blocky’ Answer: The ability to manipulate the data so that the system can perform a wide range
because each pixel increases in size. of functions
 They need much more computer capacity because the image needs space for every
single pixel. 2. Explain why it is necessary to manipulate data on maps.
 The large number of data items makes processing slower.

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 Answer: Because you only want to use certain information that only relates to your Answer: Different types of information are projected on different layers of the same
specific task you must do, and all the other information is not necessary. area. These layers can be placed on top of one another.

3. Explain the term special resolution. 15. Name some layers of information.
Answer: How clear and detailed the location and shape of a feature is. Answer: Vegetation layer, Drainage (rivers) layer, infrastructure (roads, railway, power
lines), a layer showing houses/buildings, layers with contour lines, cultivation layer, land-
4. Two cameras are used to take a photo, a 2.0 megapixel and a 3.5 megapixel use layer etc.
camera. Which one of the cameras will take better quality pictures?
Answer: 3.5-megapixel camera. 16. Give TWO uses of data layering in GIS.
Answer: To compare different sets of data. To find the relationship between different
5. Explain your Answer in question 4. sets of data. Analyzing different sets of information. Plan future development. To
Answer: More rectangular cells covering the area / More pixels per unit area. establish the exact location of a new development (like a school, shopping mall, etc.).
Also, to help to identify certain things.
6. Heavy rainfall sometimes results in flooding along a river, how can you use GIS to
manage this disaster? 17. What is GIS?
Answer: Use GIS to determine the best position higher up in the river to build a dam so Answer: GIS is the abbreviation used for a Geographic Information System which is an
that the run-off can be managed. Draw a buffer zone along the river according to the organized collection of hardware, software, geographic data and personnel, used to
flood line. No development may take place in this buffer zone. capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, display and output data and/or information
which can be spatially referenced to the earth.
7. Urbanization has a negative impact on rivers. How will buffering prevent the negative
impact on rivers? 18. Differentiate between vector and raster data.
Answer: To demarcate a specific distance from a river (both sides) where no Answer: Vector: Real world is shown by means of points, lines and polygons features.
development may take place and where the natural vegetation will grow, and no human Raster: Real world features shown by means of pixels e.g. photos.
activity may take place.
19. Classify the following data, namely images and polygons, as vector or raster data.
8. Differentiate between spatial and attribute data. Answer: Images - Raster data
Answer: Spatial: Map features like points, lines and polygons and its specific location. Polygons - Vector data
Attribute: This is descriptive information about an area.
20. Name any TWO components of GIS.
9. Give examples of spatial data found on the topographical and orthophoto maps. Answer: Software, Hardware, Personnel (People), Geographic data, Applications
Answer: Wind pumps, roads, power lines, rivers buildings, dams etc. (Methods/Procedures)

10. Data storage in GIS should be in a form of……..? 21. You want to open a take-away food franchise in your town. Explain how would you make
Answer: Vector and raster. use of GIS in order to ensure that you select the best/correct location for your business?
(4x2=8)
11. State TWO processes necessary when working with GIS. Answer: Determine existing major transport routes / Accessibility / Determine crime
Answer: Data input, data storage, data manipulation, data analysis, data management, rates / Economic status of inhabitants / Number of customers/market/threshold
etc. population / Existing competition / Building cost / Types of products to sell / Determine
geology/topography/relief/drainage/soils whether they are suitable for development /
12. Define the term remote sensing. Zoning/municipal by-laws / Availability of space for future expansion
Answer: Method of taking pictures of the earth’s surface without having physical contact
with it. 22. Explain the term resolution.
13. Which one between the orthophoto map or a topographical map have a higher spatial Answer: It refers to the detail and accuracy of an image/photo.
resolution (clear – higher resolution)?
Answer: Orthophoto map 23. How do you know that the orthophoto map has a high resolution?
Answer: All features are clear, and it is a photograph.
14. Explain data layering.

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24. Why is the orthophoto map an example of raster data? 32. South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) ensures that all products used in South Africa
Answer: It is a photo and therefore consists of pixel/digital blocks. meet specific standards before they can be distributed to retail companies and
consumers. Data used in GIS also has standards, what is data standardisation in GIS?
25. How can the municipality use remote sensing to monitor the negative impact of increased
Answer: The act of applying agreed international and/or national standards to ensure
erosion?
Answer: Identify causes of erosion / Collected data can show how the area has been that the data used in GIS is valid and reliable.
disturbed / Collected data can be used to plan strategies to combat soil erosion / Recent 33. What is the purpose of standardisation?
photographs are compared to older photographs / Replanting of trees where vegetation Answer: To ensure that the data captured conform to agreed standards.
has been destroyed / Create a buffer zone / Implementation of correct farming methods /
Make decision makers aware of the severity of the problem / Build a model of possible 34. An urban and regional planner wants to examine the building density of an area on the
solutions. map. He/She decides to use an orthophoto map in the local council's database. Give
reasons for his/her choice.
26. Mention TWO ways in which data can be collected to do an environmental impact study.
Answer: Surveys / Questionnaires / Photographs / Remote sensing/satellite images / Answer: The orthophoto map has a good spatial resolution/high degree of clarity/detail
Testing of natural environment e.g. testing soil and water quality / Physical The orthophoto map is a photo/image of the area/realistic view/primary source
measurements using secondary data / Using existing maps
It gives him/her a clear plan view of the building density/distance between buildings
27. Explain the term data integration. It gives updated information
Answer: It is the combining of different information sources.
The local community data base will have updated information
28. When a cartographer (person who designs maps) sketches a map, what are the Orthophoto map has a larger scale
problems he must deal with?
Answer: Using maps with different scales. 35. How does the map reference ensure that there is data standardisation between the
Using photos/images with different scales. topographical map and the orthophoto map?
Getting the shapes of the features correct.
Using maps with different map projections. Answer: The reference ensures that symbols that represent features are the same in
Make use of fieldwork information that is not accurate or correct. both the topographical map and the orthophoto map.

29. When there is a question asking you to give the spatial position of a certain place.
Answer: Then you must answer the question by writing down the co-ordinates of that
place.

30. Data gathered by a satellite is not always user-friendly. Which GIS process is used to
ensure that data can be used by all people?
Answer: Data standardisation / Data processing / Data manipulation

31. Images from the satellite were used to construct the topographical map. Explain how
South African topographical maps are standardised.
Answer: The symbols used on the topographic maps are standard/the same
The scale of 1: 50 000 is used on all South African topographic maps
All South African topographic maps use the Gauss Conform Projection
The contour intervals are always 20 m / The sheet index is consistent
Linear scale evident on all maps / The magnetic declination for the map is always
indicated / The use of alpha-numeric grid cells.

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