GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

What is GIS?
“GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware, software, and trained personnel linking topographic,
demographic, utility, facility, image and other resource data that is geographically referenced.” - NASA

“A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and
events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical
analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps.” – ESRI

Geographical Information System also known as GIS is a technological field that

incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real-world
problems.

History of GIS

 1832: First application of the concept was in 1832 when Charles Picquet created a
map representing cholera outbreak across 48 districts of Paris. This map was an early
version of a heat map, which would later revolutionize several industries.

 1854: Inspired by Picquet, John Snow adopted the same principle to depict cholera deaths
in London in 1854. He evolved the concept by presenting an argument developed from a
spatial analysis of data.

 Early 20th century: A printing technique called photozincography was introduced,

which allowed users to separate layers from a map. This meant different themes could be
printed, but this did not represent a full GIS since there was no opportunity to analyze
mapped data.

 Early 1960’s: The concept of GIS was first introduced, and it was subsequently researched
and developed as a new discipline. The GIS history views Roger Tomlinson as a pioneer
of the concept, where the first iteration was designed to store, collate, and analyze data
about land usage in Canada.

o Roger Tomlinson – the father of GIS

 1980s: The concept progressed as national agencies adopted it, and invested parties began
determining best practice.

 Late 1980s: There was a focus on improving the usability of technology and making
facilitates more user-centric.
  1990’s: As the system continuously advanced in Canada throughout the 1970s and 1980s,
by the 1990s it was driven by mainframe hardware, with data sets from the entire Canadian
landmass.

5 Components of GIS

 People. Well-trained GIS professionals knowledgeable in spatial analysis and skilled in

using GIS software are essential to the GIS process.

 Data. Data is the core of any GIS. There are two primary types of data that are used in
GIS: vector and raster data.

 Procedure and Analysis. To complete the task procedure are performed using hardware
and software.

 Hardware comprises the equipment needed to support the many activities needed for
geospatial analysis ranging from data collection to data analysis.

 Software. Different types of software are important. Central to this is the GIS application
package. Such software is essential for creating, editing and analyzing spatial and attribute
data, therefore these packages contain a myriad of geospatial functions inherent to them.

Uses of GIS

 Mapping Data. The central function of a geographic

information system is to provide a visual representation of data.

 Proximity Analysis. It is an analytical technique that is used

to define the relationship between a specific location and other
locations or points that are linked in some way.

 Buffering. A technique called buffering is commonly used

with proximity analysis to indicate the sphere of influence of a
given point.

 Find Clusters. Using multiple algorithms it is possible to

select a group of unrelated points on a theme that match a set
of criteria. A cluster could include members where distance
between them is less than a specific amount or areas where
there is density of points greater than a specific level.

 Find Nearest. A technique that can be used to measure the distances between a point and
the edge of a specific element that has been defined as a polygon using vector points.
  What’s in an area. A basic analysis that allows a given area from one later to be overlaid
onto data from other themes.

 Location Analysis. The technique best used to identify a location for a new retail outlet.

How GIS Works?

 Maps are the geographic container for the data layers and analytics you want to work with.
GIS maps are easily shared and embedded in apps, and accessible by virtually everyone,
everywhere.

 Data. GIS integrates many different kinds of data layers using spatial location. Most data
has a geographic component. GIS data includes imagery, features, and base maps linked to
spreadsheets and tables.

Kinds of Data:

o Non-Spatial

o Spatial

Forms of Spatial Data

 Vector

 Raster

 Analysis. Spatial analysis lets you evaluate suitability and capability, estimate and predict,
interpret and understand, and much more, lending new perspectives to your insight and
decision-making.

 Apps provide focused user experiences for getting work done and bringing GIS to life for
everyone. GIS apps work virtually everywhere: on your mobile phones, tablets, in web
browsers, and on desktops.

Prepared by:

CAPILLAS, ELLEN-ZYRA R.
BSCE V-A