Geographic Information System (GIS)
Geographic Information System Geographic Information System (GIS)(GIS)
What is GIS?What is GIS?
Think About GeographyThink About GeographyThink About Geography
What is Geography?What is Geography?
•• Association of American GeographersAssociation of American Geographers’’ definition:definition:• Geography is the science of place and space
•• MerriamMerriam--WebsterWebster’’s definition:s definition:• A science that deals with the description, distribution,
and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth’s surface
Think About GeographyThink About GeographyThink About Geography
Questions Geographers AskQuestions Geographers Ask
• Where is it located?
• Why is it located there?
• How and why are places different?
• How do people interact with their environment?
The answer to these questions is spatial dataThe answer to these questions is spatial data
History of CartographyHistory of CartographyHistory of Cartography
•• The First MapsThe First Maps• Rock walls• Clay tablets
•• Uses of MapsUses of Maps• Topographic• Celestial• Cosmographic
Picture of a cuneiform tablet from http://www.crystalinks.com/cuneiformtablets.html
Early Maps of the WorldEarly Maps of the WorldEarly Maps of the WorldPicture of a T-O map from University of Texas, Foundations of Western European Cartography
Exploring the WorldExploring the WorldExploring the WorldMercator map picture from Encyclopedia Britannica.
Maps at WarMaps at WarMaps at WarTopographic map picture of Harper’s Ferry from www.DavidRumsey.com.
Linked information reveals patternsLinked information reveals patterns……
What is Spatial Data?What is Spatial Data?What is Spatial Data?
Location DataLocation Data• How Many? – What Kind? – Where?
Scale of DataScale of Data• Local to Global to Beyond
Data PresentationData Presentation• Words, Charts, Graphs, Tables, or Maps
Estimates are that Estimates are that 80%80% of all data has a of all data has a spatialspatial componentcomponent• Data from most sciences can be analyzed spatiallyspatially
A A Geographic Information System (GIS)Geographic Information System (GIS) links locational and attribute information and enables a person to visualize patterns, relationships, and trends. This process gives an entirely new perspective to data analysis that cannot be easily seen in a table or list format or on a paper map.
Exploring data using GIS turns data into informationExploring data using GIS turns data into informationinto knowledgeinto knowledge
Geographic Information Systems A Definition of GIS
Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems A Definition of GISA Definition of GIS
HardwareHardwareThe computer, peripherals, and sometimes servers on which the GIS operates
SoftwareSoftwareProvides the functions and tools required to store, analyze, and display data
DataDataData is stored as vector, raster, or attribute data
MethodsMethodsThe guidelines, specifications, standards, and procedures for collecting and analyzing data and applying GIS
PeoplePeopleGIS needs people to ask the questions; choose, collect, and analyze the data; and interpret the results
Five Components of GIS Five Components of GIS Five Components of GIS
A Complete GISA Complete GISA Complete GIS
VisualizationVisualization• GIS as a tool to display spatial
data as a map
Database ManagementDatabase Management• GIS as a tool to store and
organize spatial data
Spatial AnalysisSpatial Analysis• GIS as a tool to analyze and
interpret spatial data
GIS Combines Spatial Data From Many SourcesGIS Combines Spatial Data From Many SourcesGIS Combines Spatial Data From Many Sources
Sources of Spatial DataSources of Spatial DataSources of Spatial Data
Digitized and Scanned MapsDigitized and Scanned Maps• Purchased, donated, free (Internet)• Created by user
DatabasesDatabases• Tables of data
GPSGPS• Global Positioning System• Accurate locations
Field Sampling of AttributesField Sampling of Attributes
Remote Sensing and Aerial PhotographyRemote Sensing and Aerial Photography
GIS stores and organizes spatial data in databasesGIS stores and organizes spatial data in databases
DatabaseNot easy to interpret
DatabaseDatabaseNot easy to interpretNot easy to interpret
VisualizationWorth a Thousand Words
VisualizationVisualizationWorth a Thousand WordsWorth a Thousand Words
Two Ways to Visualize Data “The World” in GIS
Two Ways to Visualize DataTwo Ways to Visualize Data ““The WorldThe World”” in GISin GIS
Raster Raster ---- GridGrid• “Pixels”• A location and value• Satellite images and aerial
photos are already in this format
Vector Vector ---- LinearLinear• Points, lines, and polygons• “Features” (house, lake,
etc.)• Attributes
• size, type, length, etc.
Real world
Rivers LayerRivers Layer Lakes LayerLakes Layer Capitals LayerCapitals Layer
Roads LayerRoads Layer States LayerStates Layer
Five Data Layers“Alike Features”
Five Data LayersFive Data Layers““Alike FeaturesAlike Features””
Turning Data Into InformationTurning Data Into InformationTurning Data Into Information
““Spatial AnalysisSpatial Analysis”” ---- Not Just a MapNot Just a Map
Asking a Question -- InteractionAsking a Question Asking a Question ---- InteractionInteraction
Maps and Databases are InteractiveMaps and Databases are InteractiveMaps and Databases are Interactive
The Goal of GISThe Goal of GISThe Goal of GIS
The goal of GIS is to help people and companies do their work betterbetter, fasterfaster, and cheapercheaper through
VisualizationVisualization• GIS provides users with quicker, more accurate representations of
spatial data
Database ManagementDatabase Management• GIS makes it easier to keep the spatial data accurate and up to date
Spatial AnalysisSpatial Analysis• GIS helps users make more informed decisions
*Wherever Spatial Data Analysis Is Needed**Wherever Spatial Data Analysis Is Needed*
Some Ways GIS is UsedSome Ways GIS is UsedSome Ways GIS is Used
Emergency ServicesEmergency Services• Fire and Police
EnvironmentalEnvironmental• Monitoring and Modeling
BusinessBusiness• Site Location, Delivery Systems
IndustryIndustry• Transportation, Communication, Mining, Pipelines,
HealthcareGovernmentGovernment
• Local, State, Federal, MilitaryEducationEducation
• Research, Teaching Tool, Administration
Defense ManagementDefense ManagementDefense Management
Real Estate ManagementReal Estate ManagementReal Estate Management
EducationEducationEducation
Utility ManagementUtility ManagementUtility Management
Transportation ManagementTransportation ManagementTransportation Management
Public SafetyPublic SafetyPublic Safety
GovernmentGovernmentGovernment
Hospital FacilitiesHospital FacilitiesHospital Facilities
GIS on the InternetGIS on the InternetGIS on the Internet
National AtlasNational Atlas• http://nationalatlas.gov
National Geographic Map MachineNational Geographic Map Machine• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine
Store LocatorStore Locator• http://www.godiva.com
Wildlife FinderWildlife Finder• http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildfinder
GIS InfoGIS Info• http://www.gis.com
ESRIESRIESRI
ESRI provides our users with a completecomplete GIS•• VisualizationVisualization•• Database ManagementDatabase Management•• Spatial AnalysisSpatial Analysis
ESRI offers more than just GIS software. We offer solutions.
Our goal is to make our users more successfulOur goal is to make our users more successful
ESRIESRIESRI
• 40 Years of Experience • Annual Revenues of $660 Million• The Fifth Largest Privately Held Software Company in the World• 350,000+ Clients of ESRI Software• More Than One Million Users
ESRI Regional Offices and International DistributorsESRI Regional Offices and International DistributorsESRI Regional Offices and International Distributors
• Headquartered in Redlands, California• 10 Domestic Regional Offices• International Distributors in More Than 80 Countries • Users in More Than 150 Countries
ArcGIS Family of ProductsArcGIS Family of Products
Making GIS Knowledge Available To Anyone . . . Making GIS Knowledge Available To Anyone . . . . . . Integrates With Other Systems Via Standards. . . Integrates With Other Systems Via Standards
UseUse
ServeServe
AuthorAuthor
Web MapWeb MapViewerViewer
DesktopDesktop ExplorerExplorer
ArcGIS ServerArcGIS Server
MobileMobile EnterpriseEnterpriseEnvironmentEnvironment
OpenOpenAPIsAPIs
Author/Serve/UseAuthor/Serve/Use•• MapsMaps•• DataData•• ModelsModels•• GlobesGlobes•• MetadataMetadata
ArcGIS Server PlatformArcGIS Server Platform
GIS is a new medium for communicationGIS is a new medium for communication• Newspapers• Radio• Television• Internet•• GISGIS
GIS helps people toGIS helps people to• Better understand and collaborate• Tell stories about conditions, situations, and events• Forecast the future
Sharing GIS With OthersSharing GIS With OthersSharing GIS With Others
What Is GIS Day?What Is GIS Day?• International grassroots event to provide education about the power
and functionality of GIS
• Builds GIS understanding and collaboration in organizations, schools, and communities
When To Participate?When To Participate?• Third Wednesday in November each year (held in conjunction with
National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week)
• November 19, 2008 marks the tenth annual celebration
• GIS Day events are held throughout the year!
Sharing GIS With Others… GIS DaySharing GIS With OthersSharing GIS With Others…… GIS DayGIS Day
How Do I Participate?How Do I Participate?• Host an Event (open house, workshop, demonstrations, press events)
• Teach a Class
• Solicit Proclamations
• Mentor Students
• Conduct Webcasts
...the possibilities are endless...the possibilities are endless
GIS DayGIS DayGIS Day
Why Participate?Why Participate?• Promote your organization’s use of GIS
• Introduce GIS to new prospects, internal and external audiences
• Build community understanding of the value of GIS
• Participate in GIS educational initiatives and community service projects
• Establish mentor relationships with local youth and expose students to cutting edge technology and career options
• Market GIS to potential clients
GIS DayGIS DayGIS Day
Visit
www.gisday.comwww.gisday.comfor more information
and toregister your event!
GIS DayGIS DayGIS Day