Download What is GIS?

What is GIS?
Geographic
Information
Systems
GIS is a tool that helps us manage and
understand information about places –
Geographic Information
Data  Information  Knowledge
With GIS, you can link information to places, such
as people to addresses, buildings to parcels, or
streets within a network.
DATABASE
DATABASE
DATABASE
You can layer that information to get a better understanding of
how it all works together. You choose what layers to combine
based on the questions you need to answer.
GIS can create
Pretty Maps
PERCENT RENTER OCCUPIED HOUSING
By Block Group
Percent Renter Occupied Housing Units
75 to 100
50 to 75
34 to 50
10 to 33
1 to 10
No units
Prepared by:
Northern Ohio Data & Information Service
(NODIS) - a member of Ohio GIS-Net
The Urban Center
Levin College of Urban Affairs
Cleveland State University
Source: 1990 Census of Population
August 1998 mjs
More than just Pretty Maps
MAPS
GIS Reveals Patterns that are Hidden in Databases
Spatial data become more important to our
society as information technology increases
our ability to access, manage, distribute,
analyze, and visualize data.
The Power of GIS
Visualization:
• Complicated
information can be
viewed in new and
different ways
• Displaying data in a
visual (picture) format
reveals hidden
relationships
• Provides better
communication
well type
owner
soil type
alluvial
smith
sandy loam
well location
hydrography
parcels
soil types
Overlay Analysis
What is the well type, soil type
and...who is the owner
of this well?
HERE
HERE
Where are the
three closest
ATMs
I
live
here
to my house??
Proximity Analysis
AND HERE
I AM HERE,
I WANT TO GO HERE.
SHOW ME THE BEST WAY
Route Analysis
Which parcels are within
100 feet of the road ?
Linear Buffering
Point Buffering
Polygon Buffering
Buffering Analysis
GIS Applications are Numerous
Data Related to Geography:
Integrated Analyzed
Displayed
GIS is a tool to aid in recommending
fast and efficient solutions to everyday
questions and problems.
FEMA used GIS for Hurricane Katrina
The San Diego Zoo uses GIS to map the
location of exhibits
USA Today Uses GIS to Show
Election Results
The Air Force Uses GIS
Geographers use GIS to study
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Engineers use GIS
Astronomers
use GIS to
study Mars
Federal, State and Local Governments
use GIS
Consider a government office wishing to open a new clinic to serve Hispanic children. To find a suitable
location, we would overlay a map showing the location of children with a map showing the location of
the Hispanic population. In addition, we might consider access to public transportation and include a map
showing bus routes in the analysis. By viewing these pieces of information simultaneously, we can
quickly can pinpoint suitable locations for the new clinic.
City Planners use GIS
San Diego
Environmentalists
use GIS
Also:
Park Rangers
Foresters
Zoologists
Geologists use GIS to track
lava flows from volcanoes.
Mauna Loa
Social Workers
use GIS
Also:
Sociologists
ESPN Uses GIS
Police Officers
use GIS
Also:
 Fire Departments
 Emergency Medical
Service
Google uses GIS