Intro to GIS | Fall 2011 Introduction to GIS

WHAT IS GIS?

“Asking what GIS is about is sort of like asking ‘what is a computer about?’ The capabilities of GIS are so broad and its uses so pervasive in society, geography, and the technical world in general that a short, meaningful description is impossible.”

Michael Kennedy 2006

“Geographic Information Systems are tools that allow for the processing of spatial data into information, generally information tied explicitly to, and used to make decisions about, some portion of the earth…Like the field of geography itself, the term is difficult to define and represents the integration of many subject areas.”

Michael DeMers 2005

“….a computer-based system to aid in the collection, maintenance, storage, analysis, output, and distribution of spatial data and information”

Paul Bolstad 2005

•  A tool for performing operations on geographic data that are too tedious or expensive or inaccurate if performed by hand

•  A tool for revealing what is otherwise invisible in geographic information

•  GIS is an integrating technology –  Links different data types

•  Displays information as layers with a common location reference system

•  Different layers can be compared and analyzed in combination

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF A GIS

Main Functions of GIS

1.  Capture 2.  Store 3.  Query 4.  Analyze 5.  Display 6.  Produce Output

Capture

Store

Query

Analyze

Display

Output

•  maps (both paper and digital)

•  animations

•  web applications

•  statistics

•  reports

•  graphs and charts

COMPONENTS OF GIS

GIS: Integration of Components

THE FIRST GIS ANALYSIS

Linked information reveals patterns…