Introduction to GIS Ghassan Mikati, Ph.D GIS Expert

A computer system which can hold and use data describing places on the earth's surface.

What is GIS? GIS is: A mapping software – such as Electronic Atlas: It displays pictures of geographic areas on the computer It provides information about these areas It provides ability to alter graphics And even more than that, it has the ability: To create graphics using information database To import external information & databases To use tabular information to create charts & graphs And to analyze information statistically

Components of GIS Database Computer Hardware & Software Organizational Structure & People

Components of GIS Hardware: the computer on which GIS operates Software: which provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display geographic information. Data: geographic data & related tabular data People: GIS users who range from specialists to simple users Methods: a designed plan and business rules

Raster vs. Vector GIS works with two models: Vector: information is encoded and stored as a collection of x,y coordinates Raster: comprises a collection of grid cells

GIS stores information about the world as a collection of thematic layers that can be linked together by geography GIS Layers

On a Map… Every object is called Map Feature… Roads ParkRiver

Geographic Features Geographic features are represented by two types of data. SPATIAL DATAATTRIBUTE DATA Street Name Address range on left Address range on right Length to travel Directions to travel

On a Map… Map features are represented as points, lines or areas… Roads as lines Park &River as areas Sites as points

Related Information… GIS stores all descriptive information about features as attributes in a GIS database. Each column stores a different attribute Each row relates to a single feature

The Map/Table link Any change in the attribute table is reflected on the map.

The Map/Table link

Features & Attributes Sets of features and attributes together are called themes: River Parks Buildings Roads

GIS Database All themes together make the GIS database River Parks Buildings Roads

On a Map… Map scale controls the size of features and shapes used to represent them, i.e. when map scale increases, so does the size of the map feature. Roads as lines Roads as polygon City as point Building as polygon

Getting Answers to Questions With GIS we can: Get information about features Find features based on their attributes Analyze features locations

Here we are seeking to find out what exists at a particular location. A location can be described in many different ways using, for example, place name, or latitude and longitude coordinates

Identifier: Area: 108,900,245 Owner: John Morris Address: 3233 Texas St. Zoned land use: Industrial Assessment: $950,000

Getting other types of information about a feature

Instead of identifying what exists at a given location, you want to find a location where certain conditions are satisfied. For example, you wish to find a house assessed at less than $200,000 with 4 bedrooms and made of wood.

Map Find features based on attributes they share 4 Bedrooms More than a certain area Within a certain price Result

This seeks to discover the differences between an area as the result of the passing of time.

City in 1950 City in 1990

This seeks to discover what types of patterns may exist in the newly created data file that were not visible before. For example you may wish to know where motor vehicle accidents occur and at what times.

What kinds of patterns exist for motor vehicle accidents? Where do they occur and at what times?

GIS locates features with regards to their location to each other: Features adjacent to… Features within a certain distance Features within a certain area Etc…

Looking for an apartment within 0.5 km from high school Schools High SchoolApartments for sale Apartments for sale within 0.5 km

Major Areas of Practical Application of GIS Technology vehicle routing and scheduling location analysis, site selection development of evacuation plans Street Network-Based

locating underground pipes, cables balancing loads in electrical networks planning facility maintenance tracking energy use Facilities Management Major Areas of Practical Application of GIS Technology

zoning, subdivision plan review land acquisition environmental impact statements water quality management Land Parcel-Based Major Areas of Practical Application of GIS Technology

forest management habitat, migration routes management wild and scenic rivers preservation recreation resources planning wetland preservation agricultural lands management groundwater modeling and contamination tracking Natural Resource-Based Major Areas of Practical Application of GIS Technology