Discover GIS
(Geographic Information Systems)
Linda Zellmer
Western Illinois University Libraries
Government & Legal Information,
Maps & Data Services
What is a GIS?
A computer system that can be used
to view and manage information
about geographic places, analyze
spatial relationships, and model
spatial processes.
What can you do with a GIS?
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Collect and organize spatial
information.
Analyze spatial information.
Combine data about a place with
locations or geographic
boundaries so that that it can be
displayed and analyzed.
Discover GIS in . . .
History
Historical uses for GIS

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Display locations of events.
Show the number of people from
a particular area who participated
in a historical event.
Show change over time.
Discover. . .
Illinois Ancestry
& Ethnicity
Using GIS. . .
Illinois Ancestry
In order of population
(largest to smallest). . .
Illinois Ethnicity
Discover GIS in . . .
Social Work
Uses of GIS in Social Work

Display data about social
conditions, such as at risk
populations.
Discover GIS in . . .
Health Sciences
Uses of GIS in Health
Sciences


Display data about the health of
people in a particular area to help
identify at risk populations.
Show change over time.
Discover GIS in . . .
Geology
Uses of GIS in Geology


Display data about mineral and
resource production and geologic
events.
Can also be used to organize data
to produce a geologic map.
Discover GIS in . . .
Environmental
Science
Uses for GIS in
Environmental Science

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Display properties of a land area.
Show change over time.
Discover GIS in . . .
Education
Using GIS in Education

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Analyze education data (test
scores) and population
characteristics.
Develop maps for educational
displays.
Discover GIS in . . .
Business
Discover GIS in . . .
Political Science
WIU Libraries’ GIS Services
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Provide assistance locating spatial
and statistical data.
Assist with formatting and
mapping data.
Make maps for classes, meeting
presentations and publications.
The End
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