Lecture 1
Introduction to GIS
Geography Definitions
Writing about the earth. – Greek
Geography Definitions
Geography provides "a view of the whole" earth by
mapping the location of places. – Ptolemy
Geography Definitions
To provide accurate, orderly, and rational description
and interpretation of the variable character of the
earth surface. - Richard Hartshorne
Geography Definitions
A science that deals with the description, distribution,
and interaction of the diverse physical, biological,
and cultural features of the earth's surface. –
Merriam-Webster
Geography
GIS Industry
A big business
GIS jobs
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2004, US Secretary of Labor
Geotechnology is one of the three fields most in
demand for 21st Century decision-making
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2005, the US Department of Labor
Began funding community college and other
programs to improve the number and breadth of
GIS courses and resources offered
http://education.usgs.gov/common/lessons/gis_gps_rs_in_education_fs.pdf
GIS People have spatial knowledge
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Data entry
Data quality
Analyst
Developer / Programmer
Database manager
Web developer
Project manager
GIS manager, GIO…
www.gjc.org - GIS jobs listing
How do we communicate?
Where is the theater?
Where is the theater?
Speech
“Go east on 10, exit Orange, and you’ll see it on the right”
Where is the theater?
Print
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Start out going East on SAN BERNARDINO AVE towards ALABAMA ST by turning
left.
Turn RIGHT onto ALABAMA ST.
Turn LEFT to take the I-10 E ramp.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto ramp.
Merge onto I-10 E
Take the exit towards ORANGE ST/CA-38/DOWNTOWN
Turn RIGHT onto N EUREKA S
Turn RIGHT onto ORIENTAL AVE.
Total Distance: 7 minutes 2.37 miles
Where is the theater?
Map
Where is the theater?
Air Photo and map
Where is
the theater?
Photo
On the phone
Maps communicate
Show me the capitals
How to I get to….?
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/krat/images/unitall.gif
Rats
Percent Change, 1990 to 2000
http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/atlas/censr01-103.pdf
What do bees
have to do
with business?
http://www.lawestvector.org/images/beerangeus.jpg
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=11059&page=6
Quick Map Exercise