GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for
capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions
on Earth’s surface. By relating seemingly unrelated data, GIS can
help individuals and organizations better understand spatial patterns
and relationships.

GIS technology is a crucial part of spatial data infrastructure, which

the White House defines as “the technology, policies, standards,
human resources, and related activities necessary to acquire,
process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data.”

GIS can use any information that includes location. The location can
be expressed in many different ways, such
as latitude and longitude, address, or ZIP code.

Data Capture

Data Formats

GIS applications include both hardware and software systems.

These applications may include cartographic data,
photographic data, digital data, or data in spreadsheets.

Cartographic data are already in map form, and may include such
information as the location of rivers, roads, hills,
and valleys. Cartographic data may also include survey
data and mapping information that can be directly entered into a
GIS.

Photographic interpretation is a major part of GIS. Photo

interpretation involves analyzing aerial
photographs and assessing the features that appear.

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Digital data can also be entered into GIS. An example of this kind of
information is computer data collected by satellites that show land
use—the location of farms, towns, and forests.

Remote sensing provides another tool that can be integrated into a

GIS. Remote sensing includes imagery and other data collected
from satellites, balloons, and drones.

Finally, GIS can also include data in table or spreadsheet form, such
as population demographics. Demographics can range from
age, income, and ethnicity to recent purchases
and internet browsing preferences.

Spatial Relationships

GIS technology can be used to display spatial relationships and

linear networks. Spatial relationships may display topography, such
as agricultural fields and streams. They may also display land-use
patterns, such as the location of parks and housing complexes.

GIS must make the information from all the various maps and
sources align, so they fit together on the same scale. A scale is the
relationship between the distance on a map and the actual distance
on Earth.

GIS Maps

Once all the desired data have been entered into a GIS system,
they can be combined to produce a wide variety of individual maps,
depending on which data layers are included. One of the most
common uses of GIS technology involves comparing natural
features with human activity.

GIS systems are often used to produce three-dimensional images.

This is useful, for example, to geologists studying earthquake faults.

GIS technology makes updating maps much easier than

updating maps created manually. Updated data can simply be
added to the existing GIS program. A new map can then be printed
or displayed on screen. This skips the traditional process of drawing
a map, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

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GIS Jobs

People working in many different fields use GIS technology.

GIS technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource
management, and development planning.

Many retail businesses use GIS to help them determine where to

locate a new store. Marketing companies use GIS to decide to
whom to market stores and restaurants, and where
that marketing should be.

GIS COMPONENTS

1. People

are the most important part of a GIS -define and develop the procedures
used by a GIS
-can overcome shortcoming of the other 4 elements (data, software,
hardware, procedure), but not vice-versa

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2.DATA

• Data is the information used within a GIS

• Since a GIS often incorporates data from multiple sources, its accuracy
defines the quality of the GIS.
• GIS quality determines the types of questions and problems that may be
asked of the GIS

Remote Sensing and topographic data

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Ground truth data

Qbs. GPS Reading Present ETM IKQNOS Topographic

Point image
Landusej 2001 Map
X Y Class Legend
Maine Class
1 351642 5783025 Forest Forest Forest Forest
IS mm 5783163 Bare Grassland Grassland Grassland
Land
17 351000 5732900 Arable Grassland “Grassland Grassland
Land
20 350700 57S3200 Forest Forest Forest Forest
23 351100 5783000 Grassland Arable Arable Arable
Land Land Land

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MORE EXAMPLE.

what does it mean to be "doing GIS"?

• using the tools of Geographic Information Systems to solve a problem

such as those in the previous examples

a GIS project might have the following stages:
1. define the problem
2. acquire the software (and the hardware?)

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3. acquire the data

4. clean the database

5. perform the analysis
6. interpret and present the results
3. GIS software
• It encompasses not only to the GIS package, but all the software
used for databases, drawings, statistics, and imaging.
• The functionality of the software used to manage the GIS determines
the type of problems that the GIS may be used to solve.
• The software used must match the needs and skills of the end user.
3.1 Popular GIS Software
□ Vector-based GIS
> ArcGIS(ESRI)
> ArcView
> MapInfo
□ Raster-based GIS
> ErdasImagine (Leica)
> ENVI (RSI)
> ILWIS (ITC)
> IDRISI (Clark Univ.)

4. Hardware

The type of hardware determines, to an extent, the speed at which a

GIS will operate.
• Additionally, it may influence the type of software used.
• To a small degree, it may influence the types/personalities of the
people working with the GIS.

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5. Procedures/ Methods
The procedures used are simple the steps taken in a well defined and consistent
method to produce correct and reproducible results from the GIS system. The
procedures used to input, analyze, and query data determine the quality and
validity of the final product.

5.1 Spatial problem solving approach

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Many problems in the world today can be solved using the spatial problem
solving approach.

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1. Ask and explore
 Set the goals for your analysis. Begin with a well-framed question based on your
understanding of the problem. Getting the question right is key to deriving meaningful
results. Questions that can be answered using spatial analysis include:
o How many are in an area?
o Which sites meet my criteria?
o What are the characteristics of an area?
o How is it distributed?
o What is near what?
o What is on top of what?
o How is it related?
 Explore and visualize your data to refine and scope the question that you want to
address. Exploring your data will shed light on aspects of the question that you may
not have considered, prompting you to further refine your question.

2. Model and compute

 Choose an analysis tool to transform your data into new results or build a model of
multiple tools to feed the results of one tool into the next.
 Process the data analytically to derive essential information that helps you answer
your question.

3. Examine and interpret

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  Manipulate and display the results of your analysis as information products, such as
maps, reports, charts, graphs, and information pop-ups.
 Seek explanations for the patterns you see and speculate about what they might mean
from a spatial or temporal perspective.
 Assess whether the results of the analysis provide an adequate answer to the question
you asked. If not, you may need to adjust your approach. Is your question too broad or
too narrow? Do you require more or different data? Should you use more or different
analysis tools?
 Determine whether assumptions about the data, analysis methods, and mapping
methods would alter the results. Also consider what artifacts of the data, analysis, and
mapping processes deserve special attention.

4. Make decisions
 Document your interpretation of the analysis results and decide how to respond.
 In some cases, you can take action based on your interpretation of the results.
Implement a solution, correct a situation, create an opportunity, or mitigate
circumstances.
 In other cases, no action is required because your goal was to build knowledge and
gain a deeper understanding.
 Often new questions arise that need to be addressed. These new questions will often
lead to further analysis.

5. Share your results

 Identify the audience that will benefit from your findings and determine who you want
to influence. Then use maps, pop-ups, graphs, and charts that communicate your
results efficiently and effectively.
 Share those results with others through web maps and apps that are geoenriched to
provide deeper explanation and support further inquiry.

This description of the spatial problem solving approach is a simplification, in large

part because problem solving isn't linear.

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 II-COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF GIS

a)Components

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 b) FUNCTIONS OF GIS

Data collection
• Capture data

Data storing, processing & analysis

• Store data
• Query data
• Analyze data

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Output production
Display data

Produce output

Data collection using GPS & RS

- paper maps are also sources of data
storing, processing • Output production
& analysis
- statistical report, maps

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