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