Geographical Informaion system

Geographical Information system

Introduction

A Geographic Information System (GIS ) is a system for generating storing , analyzing and managing spatial data and associated attributes More precisely , GIS is a computer system capable of integrating storing , editing , analyzing , sharing , and displaying geographically-referenced information . In a more generic sense meanwhile , GIS is a device that allows users to generate interactive queries , analyze the spatial information and edit data

Heywood , Cornelius , and Carver (2006 ) explain that GIS technology can be used for scientific investigations , resource management , asset management , Environmental Impact Assessment , development planning

br cartography , and route planning . Like the computer , this technology is another of man 's inventions that aims to make things a lot easier for the humankind

Berry (1993 ) said that many industries can actually gain considerable benefits from GIS technology (p . 424 . An active GIS market has brought about lower costs and continual improvements in the hardware and software components of GIS . These developments will , in turn , result in a much wider use of the technology throughout science , government business , and industry , with applications including real estate , public health , crime mapping , national defense , sustainable development natural resources , transportation and logistics . GIS is also diverging into Location Based Services (LBS

LBS allows GPS allowed mobile devices to show their location in relation to fixed assets such as nearest restaurant , gas station , fire hydrant and in terms of mobile assets such as friends , children , police car or to relay their position back to a central server for display or other processing . These services continue to develop with the increased integration of GPS functionality with more and more powerful mobile electronics

Benefits of GIS

Wise (2002 ) noted that maps have conventionally been used to explore the Earth and to utilize its resources . GIS technology , as an offshoot of cartographic science , has improved the efficiency and analytic power of traditional mapping (p . 352 . Now , as the scientific community recognizes the environmental consequences of human activity , GIS technology is becoming an important tool in the effort to appreciate the process of global change . Various map and satellite information sources can come together in modes that reproduce the interactions of complex natural systems

Through a function known as visualization , a GIS can actually be utilized to produce various images . And we 're not only talking about maps but drawings , animations and other cartographic products . These images enable researchers are systematically helpful in transmitting the technical concepts of GIS study-subjects to non-scientists . As ordinary mortals , we can easily grasp the meanings behind these images

In line with this , Burrough and McDonnell (1998 ) reported that geographic information systems have emerged in the last decade as an essential tool for urban and resource planning and management . Their capacity to store , retrieve , analyze , model and map large areas with huge volumes of spatial data has led to an extraordinary proliferation of applications . Geographic information systems are now used for land use planning , utilities management , ecosystems modeling , landscape assessment and planning , transportation and infrastructure planning market analysis , visual impact analysis , facilities management...