1. What is GIS?

GIS (Geographic Information System) is a system designed to

capture, store, analyze, manage, and display spatial or
geographic data. It integrates hardware, software, and data to
provide tools for mapping, analyzing spatial relationships, and
solving geographic problems.
2. Why is GIS important?
GIS is important because it helps collect, analyze, and show
geographic data, which makes decision-making easier. It is
used in areas like city planning, environmental protection, and
emergency management, helping solve problems and improve
planning.
3. What is the difference between Geographic
Information Science (GIScience) and Geographic
Information Systems (GIS)?
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) studies the theories
and concepts behind spatial data, while Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) focus on the practical tools and applications for
analyzing and visualizing this data.
4. What are the main components of Geographic
Information Systems (GIS)?

The main components of GIS are:

1. Hardware: The physical devices used, such as computers,

GPS devices, and servers.
2. Software: Programs that enable data capture, analysis,
and visualization, like ArcGIS or QGIS.
3. Data: Spatial (geographic coordinates) and non-spatial
(attributes) data used for analysis.
4. People: Users and experts who operate and manage GIS
applications.
5. Methods: Procedures and techniques for analyzing and
processing geographic data.

5. In which fields can GIS be used? Give two examples.

GIS can be used in various fields, including:

 1. Architecture: GIS is used for site selection, landscape
design, and visualizing urban development projects.
2. Construction: It helps in planning infrastructure, analyzing
terrain, and managing construction logistics.

6. What is spatial data and attribute data?

1. Spatial Data refers to the geographical location and shape

of features on the earth's surface, such as points, lines,
and polygons (e.g., rivers, roads, or land boundaries).
2. Attribute Data refers to the descriptive information related
to spatial data, such as names, numbers, or characteristics
(e.g., population of a region, land use type).

Spatial Data Attribute Data

Point Descriptive (parcel no, owner, etc.)
Line Quantitative (area, parcel, value
etc.)
Polygon Qualitative (water, air, soil etc.)

7. What is the difference between them?

Spatial data defines "where" something is located, while

attribute data provides details about "what" is located at that
specific place.

8. What are data layers and topology?

Data Layers: In GIS, data layers are different types of

information stacked on top of each other, like roads, rivers, or
land use. They can be analyzed separately or together.

Topology: Topology describes the spatial relationships between

features, like how roads connect or how a river flows. It ensures
data integrity by defining how features relate to each other.

9. What is the implementation steps of the GIS model?

 Data Acquisition: Maps, satellite images, fieldwork.
 Preprocessing: Format conversion, digitizing, edge
rectification.
 Data Management: Variable selection, table design, CRUD
operations.
 Manipulation and Analysis: Address matching, network
analysis, terrain modeling.
  Product Generation: Creating maps and reports.
10. What are the allied technologies with GIS?

 Surveying  Cartography
 Remote Sensing  DBMS (Database Management
 Photogrammetry Systems)

 GPS (Global Positioning  Desktop Mapping

System)  CAD (Computer-Aided
Design)

11. What are the allied disciplines of GIS?

 Geography  Statistics
 Geodesy  Civil Engineering
 Cartography  Anthropology
 Geology  Forestry
 Meteorology  Epidemiology

12. Why study GIS?

Studying GIS helps us understand and work with maps and data
about places. It is useful in many areas like city planning,
environmental protection, and business, and can lead to many
job opportunities.

13. Where is GIS being applied?

 Urban Planning: Zoning, land use, and housing
development.
 Environmental Science: Monitoring and managing natural
resources.
 Healthcare: Tracking diseases and planning health
services.
 Transportation: Route planning and traffic management.
 Business: Market analysis, site selection, and logistics.
 Agriculture: Crop management and land use.
 Disaster Management: Emergency response and risk
analysis.

14. What do GIS applications do?

GIS applications help create maps, analyze data, and solve

problems. They measure distances, show patterns, and help
make decisions in areas like planning, transportation, and
environment.

15. How does GIS differ from related systems?

While DBMS stores data without location information, GIS ties

data to specific places. CAD is used for design and drafting, not
spatial analysis, and AM creates maps but can't analyze
multiple data layers like GIS.

16. What are some key terms and definitions in

GIS?

 Feature: A single entity that is part of a landscape, such

as a building or road.
 Format: The specific organization of a digital record.
 Fourth Dimension: Refers to time; the first three
dimensions determine location, while the fourth dimension
tracks the creation, duration, and destruction of an object.
 Geocoding: The process of converting analog maps into
computer-readable form, typically through scanning or
digitizing.
 Geographic Information Science: Research on issues
surrounding GIS technology and its implementation.
 GUI (Graphical User Interface): The visual tools
(windows, menus, icons) used to interact with a computer.
 Information System: A system that provides answers to
queries from a database.
 Isoline Map: A map with continuous lines joining points of
equal value (e.g., temperature or elevation).
 Land-Cover Map: A map showing the type of surface
covering (e.g., forest, grassland, or cropland).
 Land-Use Map: A map showing human use of land (e.g.,
agricultural, residential, or industrial).
 Line Feature: A geographic feature represented by a
sequence of locations forming a line (e.g., a stream).
 Map: A depiction of geographic phenomena, often at a
reduced scale, with symbols geocoded and stored as a
data structure.
 Node: A significant point in a map structure, especially
those with topological importance, such as line endpoints.
 Point Feature: A geographic feature recorded as a single
point (e.g., a house).
  Query: A question asked of a database, especially in GIS,
to retrieve specific information.
 Record: A set of attribute values in a database, equivalent
to a row in a table.
 Spatial Data: Data linked to locations in geographic
space, typically displayed on a map.
 Thematic Map: A map focused on displaying a specific
theme or spatial pattern (e.g., population density).
 Topographic Map: A map showing features like
elevations and landforms, often with contour lines.
 Topology: The description of spatial relationships
between geographic features, such as adjacency or
proximity.
 Vector: A map data structure using points, nodes, and
segments to represent geographic features.

17. What is a map projection?

A map projection is the process of converting the curved

surface of the Earth onto a flat map.

18. What are the basic types of map projections in

GIS?

cylindrical, conic, azimuthal

19. What is map scale?

Map scale is the ratio of distances on the map to the actual

distances on the ground.

20. What is spatial join?

Spatial join is the process of combining data from different

layers based on their spatial relationships.

21. What is overlay analysis?

Overlay analysis involves layering multiple datasets to analyze

the relationships between them.

22. What are the main models of the Earth?

 Sphere, oblate ellipsoid, and geoid.

23. What is datum?

A datum is a reference framework in GIS and mapping that

defines the size, shape, and position of the Earth. It aligns a
mathematical model, such as an ellipsoid, with the Earth's
surface to accurately determine locations and elevations.

24. Which datum is used in Turkey?

WGS84, NAD27, ITRF-96

25. What is UTM?

UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) is a coordinate system

that divides the Earth into 60 zones, each 6 degrees of
longitude wide, for mapping and navigation.

26. What is parameters required for projecting a

map?

 Latitude of Origin  Scale Factor

 Central Longitude (Meridian)  Units
 Spheroid/Datum  Standard Parallels (for conic
 False Easting and Northing projections)
 Zone (for UTM projections)

27. What is Basic properties of geographic

features?

 Size  Neighborhood
 Distribution  Shape
 Pattern  Scale
 Contiguity  Orientation

28. What are the main GIS data models?

Raster and vector data models.

29. What is the raster data model?

The raster model represents the real world as a grid of cells

(pixels), where each cell holds a specific attribute value.
 30. What are the advantages of the raster data
model?
 Simple data structure.
 Easy to overlay and combine layers.
 Compatible with satellite data.
31. What are the disadvantages of the raster data
model?
 Requires large storage space.
 Accuracy is limited by cell size (resolution).
 Not suitable for topological analyses.

32. What is the vector data model?

The vector model represents spatial data using points, lines,

and polygons.

33. What are the advantages of the vector data

model?

Provides high accuracy.

Efficient storage.

Suitable for topological analyses.

34. What are the disadvantages of the vector data

model?

Complex data structure.

Less effective for continuous data like elevation or temperature.

 35. Why is topology important in GIS?

Topology validates the geometry of spatial data, detects errors,

and ensures the accuracy of spatial analyses.

36. What are the advantages of topological data

structures?

Allows automated error detection and correction.

Prevents gaps or overlaps between polygons.

37. What types of databases are used in GIS?

GIS typically uses relational databases (DBMS).

38. What is metadata, and why is it important?

Metadata is data about data, providing information about the

dataset's content, source, and suitability for use.

39. What is a map layer?

A map layer contains data representing a single characteristic

of each location within a geographic area.

40. What does map layer resolution mean?

Resolution refers to the size of cells in raster data, determining

the level of detail represented.

41. Why is raster-to-vector conversion challenging?

Converting raster to vector requires accurately defining
boundaries, which can be complex.

42. What are common raster data formats?

TIF, GIF, JPEG, DEM.
43. What is geocoding in GIS?

Geocoding is the process of converting spatial information into

a computer-readable format.

44. Where can existing map data be found?

 Map libraries.
 State and federal agencies.
 Commercial data suppliers.
 Online sources like the World Wide Web.
45. What is digitizing in GIS?

Digitizing is the process of converting analog map data into

digital data by tracing lines and points.

46. What are common digitizing errors?

Errors include slivers, duplicate lines or nodes, unended lines,

gaps, and zingers.

47. What is scanning in GIS?

Scanning is an automated method of capturing spatial data by

creating a raster image of a map.

48. How does GPS determine location?

GPS uses signals from at least four satellites to calculate
latitude, longitude, elevation, and time differences.

49. What is differential GPS?

Differential GPS improves accuracy by using a stationary

receiver to measure and correct timing errors.

50. What is attribute data in GIS?

Attribute data describes properties of spatial features, such as

road type, traffic volume, or surface material.

51. How is attribute data organized?

Attribute data is typically stored in tables, with rows

representing features and columns representing attributes.

52. What is a data dictionary?

A data dictionary is a catalog of attributes in a database,

including their types, ranges, and valid values.

53. What is the role of a database management

system (DBMS) in GIS?

A DBMS stores, retrieves, and validates GIS data using defined

constraints and dictionaries.

54. Why is understanding error important in GIS?

Errors in data can affect all GIS operations, especially when

comparing maps or analyzing across scales.
 55. What are common sources of error in GIS?

Errors often arise from geocoding methods, data collection

processes, and scale generalizations.

56. What are the six critical functions of a GIS?

Data capture, storage, management, retrieval, analysis, and

visualization.

57. What are the two primary GIS data structures?

Raster (grid-based) and vector (coordinate-based).

58. When is raster data structure preferred?

Raster is preferred for general data like remote sensing, terrain

analysis, and forestry.

59. Why is vector data preferred for precise

applications?

It maintains high precision and works well with boundaries, land

parcels, and networks.

60. What is the purpose of topological cleaning?

It eliminates duplicate lines, gaps, and slivers to ensure spatial

accuracy.

61. What are the key factors to consider when

selecting a GIS?
Cost, training needs, ease of installation, maintenance support,
and user-friendliness.

62. What is line generalization?

Simplifying lines to reduce detail while maintaining their

general shape.

63. Why is topological cleaning important in GIS?

It ensures error-free maps by eliminating slivers, closing gaps,

and maintaining proper topology.

64. What is types of GIS analysis ?

 Spatial Analysis: Examines spatial relationships (e.g.,
buffers, overlays).
 Attribute Analysis: Queries non-spatial data (e.g., filtering
by attributes).
 Overlay Analysis: Combines layers to find intersections or
unions.
 Network Analysis: Analyzes connected features (e.g.,
shortest path).
 Surface Analysis: Works with continuous data (e.g., slope,
elevation).
 Proximity Analysis: Measures distance (e.g., buffers,
nearest neighbors).
 Temporal Analysis: Studies changes over time (e.g., urban
growth).
 Statistical Analysis: Identifies patterns and trends (e.g.,
clustering).
 Raster Analysis: Operates on grid-based data (e.g., map
algebra).
 Geostatistical Analysis: Predicts spatial patterns (e.g.,
interpolation).
 3D Analysis: Models terrains or features in three
dimensions.