Geographic Information
System [GIS]
Continuum
E. Atlas--------Thematic Mapper--CAC----------GIS
GIS Definition & Key Elements
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GIS Characteristics
 Fully
Dynamic Computer Based
– Describes, Predicts, Prescribes
 Display
& Analytical Flexibility
– Up to the user
– Up to the minute
 Storage
Device
– Ideal location to store, edit, organize, &
manage large spatial data sets
– Extremely flexible – input/output
GIS Definition & Key Elements
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GIS Uses
 Analysis
– Available for scientific studies
 Management
– Can assist in managing a resource
 Planning
– An essential tool in the process
 Education
– An ideal way to provide spatial and
temporal understanding
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Defining GIS 1: Scholarly


…an information system that is designed
to work with data referenced by spatial or
geographic coordinates… Star & Estes, 1990
[Where] an information system is that
chain of operations that takes us from
planning the observation and collection of
data, to storage and analysis of the data
to the use of the derived information in
some decision-making process.” Calkins &
Tomlinson, 1977
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The 5 GIS Elements
or chain of operations for implimenting an Information System
After setting an objective
 Data Acquisition
 Data Preprocessing
 Database Management
 Data Manipulation and Analysis
 Product Generation
 This
process is not simply linear but
recursive and iterative
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GIS Definition 2: Practical
A process that proceeds through the 5
essential elements from data acquisition
through to final product generation –
continuously (iterative & recursive)
 Based on a defined goal or set of
objectives (what to accomplish)
 Where the spatial nature of the data is
essential to successful application
 Normally using a computer software
package(s)

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GIS – relating to E. Atlas and
Them. Mapper
1.
2.
3.
Geographic Database software in either vector
or raster format
Fully dynamic and involves geographic database
– acquisition, preprocessing & storage,
manipulations & analysis, and output production
(see 5 elements note it is an information
system)
Data stored in flexible electronic tables
containing entities, attributes, and geocodes
a)
b)
4.
5.
Can continually add data
Data can be manipulated and updated at will
Limitless Choice of analyses & outputs
Can interface with sophisticated modeling tools
for analysis, new uses continuously being
discovered
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Key Elements of a GIS
 Entities
(review)
– spatial objects
– Points
– Lines
– Polygons
 Attributes
variables
–characteristics or
– Descriptors of an entity
– Attached to an entity
 Geocodes
– Coordinates that places an entity in
space
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How the Key Elements Work
 Geocodes
locate and anchor
Entities in space while Attributes
describe these entities
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How the Key Elements Work
Example – Bellingham is
– located at Lat. 48.75 Long. 122.45
(geocode)
– Represented by a point (entity)
– Has a population of 81,454 (attribute)
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Entities
Attributes
GeoCodes
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Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) Review


GIS is a system of hardware and software used
for storage, retrieval, managing, analysis,
and mapping or display of geographic/spatial
data.
Spatial features or data are stored in a
coordinate system (latitude/longitude, state
plane, UTM, etc…),
– which references a particular place on the
earth.
– Descriptive attributes in tabular form are
associated with spatial features.
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Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) Review


Spatial data (geocoded entities) and
associated attributes in the same coordinate
system can be layered together for mapping
and analysis.
GIS can be used for:
– scientific investigations
– teaching,
– resource management,
– development planning,
– marketing,
– political campaigns,
– emergency management…
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List of GIS Software Programs
ArcMap
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Website of uses of GIS in Transportation Planning
http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/
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Website of uses of GIS in K-12 Education
http://oregonstate.edu/~rynersoe/
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Website of uses of GIS in National Park Management
http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/standards/CRGIS/katrina.htm
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