GEOGRAPHYCAL INFORMATION
SYSTEM (GIS) STUDY NOTES
“Illustrated notes with diagrams-for easy learning”
By:Omniversehub
What is GIS – Definition?
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system build to capture, store,
manipulate, analyze, manage and display all kinds of spatial or geographical data. GIS
applications are tools that allow end users to perform spatial query, analysis, edit spatial data and
create hard copy maps. In simple way GIS can be define as an image that is referenced to the
earth or has x and y coordinate and it‘s attribute values are stored in the table. These x and y
coordinates are based on different projection system and there are various types of projection
system. Most of the time GIS is used to create maps and to print. To perform the basic task in
GIS, layers are combined, edited and designed.
GIS can be used to solve the location based question such as ―What is located here‖ or Where to
find particular features? GIS User can retrieve the value from the map, such as how much is the
forest area on the land use map. This is done using the query builder tool. Next important
features of the GIS is the capability to combine different layers to show new information. For
example, you can combine elevation data, river data, land use data and many more to show
information about the landscape of the area. From map you can tell where is high lands or where
is the best place to build house, which has the river view . GIS helps to find new information.
1
,Figure: Gis Model
How GIS Works:
• Visualizing Data: The geographic data that is stored in the databases are displayed in the GIS
software.
• Combining Data: Layers are combined to form a maps of desire.
• The Query: To search the value in the layer or making a geographic queries.
Definition by others:
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to
understand relationships, patterns, and trends. (ESRI)
In the strictest sense, a GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating,
and displaying geographically referenced information (that is data identified according to their
locations). (USGS)
Advantage of GIS:
2
, • Better decision made by government people
• Improve decision making with the help of layered information
• Citizen engagement due to better system
• Help to identify communities that is under risk or lacking infrastructure
• Helps in identifying criminology matters
• Better management of natural resources
• Better communication during emergency situation
• Cost savings due to better decision
• Finding different kinds of trends within the community
• Planning the demographic changes
History of GIS:
Modern GIS has seen series of development. GIS has evolved with the computer system. Here
are the brief events that has happened for the development of the GIS system.
Year 1854 – The term GIS that used scientific method to create maps was used by John Snow in
1854. He used points on London residential map to plot outbreak of Cholera.
Year 1960 – Modern computerized GIS system began in year 1960.
Year 1962 – Dr. Roger Tomlinson created and developed Canadian Geographic Information
System (CGIS) to store, analyze and manipulate data that was collected for the Canada Land
Inventory (CLI). This software had the capacity to overlay, measurement and digitizing
(converting scan hardcopy map to digital data). It is never provided in commercial format but Dr.
Tomlinson is the father of GIS.
Year 1980 – This period saw rise of commercial GIS software‘s like M&S Computing,
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and Computer Aided Resource Information
System (CARIS). These all software were similar to CGIS with more functionality and user-
friendliness. Among all the above the most popular today is ESRI products like ArcGIS, ArcView
which hold almost 80 % of global market.
3
SYSTEM (GIS) STUDY NOTES
“Illustrated notes with diagrams-for easy learning”
By:Omniversehub
What is GIS – Definition?
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system build to capture, store,
manipulate, analyze, manage and display all kinds of spatial or geographical data. GIS
applications are tools that allow end users to perform spatial query, analysis, edit spatial data and
create hard copy maps. In simple way GIS can be define as an image that is referenced to the
earth or has x and y coordinate and it‘s attribute values are stored in the table. These x and y
coordinates are based on different projection system and there are various types of projection
system. Most of the time GIS is used to create maps and to print. To perform the basic task in
GIS, layers are combined, edited and designed.
GIS can be used to solve the location based question such as ―What is located here‖ or Where to
find particular features? GIS User can retrieve the value from the map, such as how much is the
forest area on the land use map. This is done using the query builder tool. Next important
features of the GIS is the capability to combine different layers to show new information. For
example, you can combine elevation data, river data, land use data and many more to show
information about the landscape of the area. From map you can tell where is high lands or where
is the best place to build house, which has the river view . GIS helps to find new information.
1
,Figure: Gis Model
How GIS Works:
• Visualizing Data: The geographic data that is stored in the databases are displayed in the GIS
software.
• Combining Data: Layers are combined to form a maps of desire.
• The Query: To search the value in the layer or making a geographic queries.
Definition by others:
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to
understand relationships, patterns, and trends. (ESRI)
In the strictest sense, a GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating,
and displaying geographically referenced information (that is data identified according to their
locations). (USGS)
Advantage of GIS:
2
, • Better decision made by government people
• Improve decision making with the help of layered information
• Citizen engagement due to better system
• Help to identify communities that is under risk or lacking infrastructure
• Helps in identifying criminology matters
• Better management of natural resources
• Better communication during emergency situation
• Cost savings due to better decision
• Finding different kinds of trends within the community
• Planning the demographic changes
History of GIS:
Modern GIS has seen series of development. GIS has evolved with the computer system. Here
are the brief events that has happened for the development of the GIS system.
Year 1854 – The term GIS that used scientific method to create maps was used by John Snow in
1854. He used points on London residential map to plot outbreak of Cholera.
Year 1960 – Modern computerized GIS system began in year 1960.
Year 1962 – Dr. Roger Tomlinson created and developed Canadian Geographic Information
System (CGIS) to store, analyze and manipulate data that was collected for the Canada Land
Inventory (CLI). This software had the capacity to overlay, measurement and digitizing
(converting scan hardcopy map to digital data). It is never provided in commercial format but Dr.
Tomlinson is the father of GIS.
Year 1980 – This period saw rise of commercial GIS software‘s like M&S Computing,
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and Computer Aided Resource Information
System (CARIS). These all software were similar to CGIS with more functionality and user-
friendliness. Among all the above the most popular today is ESRI products like ArcGIS, ArcView
which hold almost 80 % of global market.
3
