1. Introduction to GIS Geography Matters! October 4, 2015October 4, 2015October 4, 2015

2. Geography and Technology Geography affects us in many ways:Geography affects us in many ways: –Our natural environment –Our human environment Geography has become a high tech disciplineGeography has become a high tech discipline –Earth Observation - Remote Sensing –Global Positioning Systems (GPS) –Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

3. Earth Observation LANDSAT Landsat (TM)Landsat (TM) RADARSAT RadarSATRadarSAT NOAA NOAANOAA ERS ERSERS SPOT SPOTSPOT

4. Earth Observation

5. Global Positioning Systems GPS is a revolutionary navigation systemGPS is a revolutionary navigation system –24 satellites orbiting the earth –Provide location within metres or less anywhere on the globe. –Now available in many cars and cell phones

6. What is a GIS? A Method of Organizing DataA Method of Organizing Data –Geographic Data (Maps) –Descriptive Data (Databases) –Images A Method of Distributing DataA Method of Distributing Data A Method of Analyzing DataA Method of Analyzing Data A Method of Visualizing DataA Method of Visualizing Data (Geographic Information System)

7. GIS – Describing Our World We can describe any element of our world in two ways: Attribute Information: What is it? Species: Oak Height: 15m Age: 75 Yrs Condition: Good Location Information: Where is it? 51°N, 112°W

8. GIS - Links Datasets GIS software links the location data and the attribute data:GIS software links the location data and the attribute data:

9. GIS - Analysis GIS software can answer questions about our world:GIS software can answer questions about our world: What provinces border Saskatchewan? Spatial Questions: What provinces have more than 1.5 million people? Attribute Questions:

10. How GIS works In a GIS, different types of information are represented as separate map layersIn a GIS, different types of information are represented as separate map layers Each layer is linked to descriptive informationEach layer is linked to descriptive information Layers are combined to make a mapLayers are combined to make a map

11. GIS - Analysis GIS can analyze data in many ways:GIS can analyze data in many ways:

12. GIS Technology Is Increasingly Common in Today's Applications.

13. Tsunami Relief

14. Hurricane Tracking and Response

15. Agriculture / Suitability Analysis

16. Municipalities / Planning

17. Health Care - Medical Geography

18. Telecommunication

19. Cartography

20. School District Admin School mapping and redistrictingSchool mapping and redistricting Enrollment analysisEnrollment analysis Facilities managementFacilities management School transportationSchool transportation Staff/student location analysisStaff/student location analysis School safetySchool safety

21. Classroom Applications HistoryHistory Earth ScienceEarth Science Social StudiesSocial Studies BiologyBiology Environmental StudiesEnvironmental Studies Political SciencePolitical Science MathematicsMathematics EconomicsEconomics BusinessBusiness Computer ScienceComputer Science

22. The End