Geography & Technology Geography of Canada

Geography & Technology Geographic Information Systems Global Positioning System Aerial Photographs Satellite Imagery

Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems *(GIS) is a technology that manages, analyzes, and disseminates geographic knowledge. Essentially, GIS is maps on computers. Each characteristic of the Earth’s surface is mapped on a layer which can be viewed independently, or in combination with other layers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1QCazbIngM

Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems GIS can analyze data in many ways: GIS can analyze data in many ways: Population and demographic data (language distribution in southern Ontario) Physical features for the same area (surface geology) GIS also allows us to view data in a 3D perspective (fly-throughs, etc)

GIS – Locations and Attributes Attribute Information: What is it? Species: Oak Height: 15m Age: 75 Yrs Location Information: Where is it? 51°N, 112°W Source: ESRI Canada, WhatsGIS.ppt

GIS – Asking Questions Attribute Questions: What provinces have more than 1.5 million people? Attribute Questions: GIS software can answer questions about our world: What provinces border Saskatchewan? Spatial Questions: Source: ESRI Canada, What’s GIS.ppt

GIS – Why Use It? Support for decision-making based on spatial data: Visual representation of data Maintenance, manipulation of data Analyze information and the affected area(s) geographically Produce customized cartographic products

GIS – Real World Uses Management Agriculture Public Utilities Health Care Emergency 911 Real Estate Marketing

GIS – Real World Uses Is it safe to dig here? You have surely seen the sign on the back of phone company trucks or gas company trucks that says "Call before you dig!" Let's say you were going to be building a new fence around your property. You first have to call all the utilities companies and find out where the utility cross your property. In the past, workers from these companies would come out to your house and spray paint your lawn where the utility lines are located. These days, chances are when you call that number, the person on the other end of the phone is sitting in front of a GIS. When you give them your address, they can easily pull up your land parcel, and overlay all of the utility lines. They can then easily fax or mail you a map and you don’t have to wait for someone to come out and spray your lawn before you can begin building your fence. A proposed excavation, identified by address, is compared to pipelines in the area using Geotechnology. Source: ESRI Canada, What’s GIS.ppt

Global Positioning System The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a "constellation" of 24 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location. The location accuracy is anywhere from 100 to 10 metres for most equipment. Accuracy can be pinpointed to within one metre with special military-approved equipment.

Global Positioning System GPS equipment is widely used in science and has now become sufficiently low-cost so that almost anyone can own a GPS receiver. The GPS is owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense but is available for general use around the world.

Global Positioning System

Global Positioning System A hand-held GPS unit

Global Positioning System An in-dash GPS unit

Global Positioning System SPOT Satellite Messenger Allows you to “check in”, send a message, or send emergency help from anywhere in the world Uses GPS technology

Remote Sensing *Remote sensing is the practice of studying Earth by using images and photographs taken from above Earth’s surface. * These photographs are either taken by airplanes or by satellites. http://goo.gl/hVtFh

Aerial Photographs Using the photographs of the Earth taken by airplanes, you can see the world in 3D using a stereoscope.

Aerial Photographs Google Earth is a computer program (that you can download for free!) that shows aerial photographs in a digital format, with a general purpose map on top. www.earth.google.com

Making Connections Map for Qu #7 Using your textbook, answer the questions on the worksheet about GIS and remote sensing Start on page 51 Map for Qu #7