geographical information system

Introduction

A geographic information system (GIS ) is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps . These abilities distinguish GIS from other information systems and make it valuable to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events , predicting outcomes , and planning strategies

The major challenges we face in the world today--overpopulation pollution , deforestation , natural disasters--have a critical

geographic dimension

Whether setting up a new business , finding the best soil for growing bananas , or figuring out the best route for an emergency vehicle , local problems also have a geographical component GIS will give you the power to create maps , integrate information , visualize scenarios , solve complicated problems , present powerful ideas , and develop effective solutions like never before . GIS is a tool used by individuals and organizations , schools , governments , and businesses seeking innovative ways to solve their problems

Mapmaking and geographic analysis are not new , but a GIS performs these tasks better and faster than do the old manual methods . And , before GIS technology , only a few people had the skills necessary to use geographic information to help with decision making and problem solving

Today , GIS is a multibillion-dollar industry employing hundreds of thousands of people worldwide . GIS is taught in schools , colleges , and universities throughout the world . Professionals in every field are increasingly aware of the advantages of thinking and working geographically

Overview and of GIS

A GIS is an information system designed to work with data referenced by spatial / geographical coordinates . In other words , GIS is both a database system with specific capabilities for spatially referenced data as well as a set of operations for working with the data . It may also be considered as a higher map . Work on GIS began in late 1950s , but first GIS software came only in late 1970s from the lab of the ESRI Canada was the pioneer in the development of GIS as a result of innovations dating back to early 1960s . Much of the credit for the early development of GIS goes to Roger Tomilson . Evolution of GIS has transformed and revolutionized the ways in which planners , engineers managers etc . conduct the database management and analysis

Components of GIS

GIS constitutes of five key components

Hardware

Software

Data

People

Method

Hardware

It consists of the computer system on which the GIS software will run The choice of hardware system range from 300MHz Personal Computers to Super Computers having capability in Tera FLOPS . The computer forms the backbone of the GIS hardware , which gets its input through the Scanner or a digitizer board . Scanner converts a picture into a digital image for further processing . The output of scanner can be stored in many formats e .g . TIFF , BMP , JPG etc . A digitizer board is flat board used for vectorization of a given map objects . Printers and plotters are the...