Introduction to GIS

(Geographical Information
System)
 What Is a GIS?
 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.
 GIS Definition
 Burrough (1986) defines GIS as “a set of tools for
collecting, storing, retrieving at will, transforming
and displaying spatial data from the real world for
a particular set of purposes”
 Aronoff (1989) gives a. general description of GIS
as “any manual or computer-based set of
procedures used to store and manipulate
geographically-referenced data.”
More specifically, Aronoff (1989) defines GIS as a
computer-based system that provides four sets of
capabilities to handle georeferenced Data: 1.
Data input 2.Data management (Data Storage
and Retrieval), 3. Manipulation and analysis, 4.
Data Output
The major challenges we face in
the world today--
overpopulation, pollution,
deforestation, natural
disasters--have a critical
geographic dimension.
Gis Concept
 Evolution of GIS
Revolution in information technology
 Computer Technology

 Remote Sensing

 Global Positioning System (GPS)

 Communication Technology

Rapidly declining cost of computer

hardware
Enhanced Functionality of software
 Why GIS?
 70% of the information includes some
geographical Facts in the decision-
making process
 Ability to assimilate divergent sources of
data both spatial and non-spatial
(attribute data)
 Visualization impact
 Sharing of information
 Analytical capability in a spatial context
 Spatial Operations
Many computer programs can handle
geographic data such as those described
below
1. Spreadsheets (e.g., lotus 1 -2-3,
QuatroPro).
2. Database Management Systems
(e.g., Oracle, dBase)
3. Computer Aided Design (e.g.,
AutoCad)
4. Cartographic packages (e.g. Aldus
Freehand, CarthoGraphix)
5. Photogrammetrical software (e.g.
DMS)
6. Image Processing Software (e.g.,
ERDAS)
 Geometry and attributes of Spatial
objects
Points, Its ID and Attributes
Lines, Its IDs and Attributes
Polygons, Its IDs and Attibutes
 What Can GIS Do for You?
 Perform Geographic Queries
and Analysis
 Improve Organizational
Integration
 Make Better Decisions
 Making Maps
Component of GIS
Hardware
Software
Database
People (Users)
Methods (Policy and Procedures
 How GIS Works ?
1. Geographic References
2. Vector and Raster Models
 GIS Tasks
 Input

 Manipulation

 Management

 Query and Analysis

 Visualization
Proximity Analysis
Overlay Analysis
 Data for GIS
 What Map Data Do I Need?
– Base Maps
– Business Maps and Data
– Environmental Maps and Data
– General Reference Maps
 How Do I Get Map Data?
 Methods In Nepal
– Existing maps
– Field Survey
– Digital data available in
Departments of Survey, Min
Bhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal
– ICIMOD