Geography Study Materials and Hand-outs

Definition of GIS/ What is GIS Definition of GIS can be summed up as follows:  GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems and is a computer-based tool that examines spatial relationships, patterns, and trends in geography. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) store, analyze, and visualize data for geographic positions on Earth’s surface. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer based information system used to digitally represent and analyze the geographic features present on the Earth’s surface and the events that taking place on it. Geographic Information Systems provide a method for integrating and analyzing spatial (digital map based) information such as "where is the nearest Hospital?" Alongside related non-spatial information (what services are given there?). Many people are becoming far more familiar with seeing the results both textually - for example when their phone shows them the nearest Hotel - and on open map systems such as Google Maps. Geographic

GIS Spatial Data Model Traditionally spatial data has been stored and presented in the form of a map. Three basic types of spatial data models have evolved for storing geographic data digitally. These are referred to as: ü       Vector Data Model ü       Raster Data Model                   Vector Data ü        Map features o         Points, lines, polygons o         Feature attributes ü        Every feature has attributes o         (e.g. name, area, population) Raster Data Stored electronic image or picture taken as an aerial photograph or satellite image. Composed of a rectangular array of square cells, called pixels, with a number in each cell representing the solid color fill of that cell. A new hybrid method of storing data is that of identifying point clouds, which combine three-dimensional points with RGB information at each point, returning a "3D color image". GIS thematic maps then are becoming more and more re

CREATING GIS  Essentially, geographic information states what is where. So to create geographic information, we have to record these two elements somehow. They can be captured through many different types of observations, measurements and surveys. Data can be sourced from aerial photography, satellite images, field samples, land surveying, population censuses, global positioning systems (GPS) and government administrative records among others. How To Combine Geographic Information..? If we are combining a number of different geographic information themes together, they may be from different sources, in different formats and covering different study areas.Therefore, we need to use a system to deal with the disparate sources and organize them so that they can be combined. A Geographic Information System does just that It is a tool for the input of different geographical information themes so that they can be stored, organized, displayed and analyzed. It uses geography

What Is GIS Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer based information system used to digitally represent and analyze the geographic features present on the Earth’s surface and the events that taking place on it. Geographic Information Systems provide a method for integrating and analyzing spatial (digital map based) information such as "where is the nearest Hospital?"  Alongside related non-spatial information (what services are given there?).  Many people are becoming far more familiar with seeing the results both textually - for example when their phone shows them the nearest Hotel - and on open map systems such as Google Maps.  GIS Capabilities/ Analysis with GIS Location: What is at a particular location...? Where is it….? Condition: identify a location where certain conditions exist..?  Trends: What has changed since...?  Patterns: What things are related..?  Modeling: What if…?  The Need for GIS: The real world has a