Geographical Information System

INTRODUCTION
Other meanings of GIS. information system. Geographical information science. Geospatial information studies
A geographic

Definitions of Geographical Information System

GIS

is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data. is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, and database technology. Michael F (2010) also defined Geographic information science is the science underlying the geographic concepts, applications and systems.

GIS

(Goodchild,

Origin of Geographical Information System

In 1854, John Snow depicted a cholera outbreak in London using points to represent the locations of some individual cases, possibly the earliest use of the geographic method. 20th century saw the development of photozincography, which allowed maps to be split into layers, for example one layer for vegetation and another for water

Origin of GIS Continued

In 1960, the first operational GIS was developed in Ottawa Canada by the federal Department of Forestry and Rural Development by Dr. Roger Tomlinson, it was called the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS) CGIS was an improvement over 'computer mapping' applications as it provided capabilities for overlay, measurement and digitizing/scanning. Tomlinson has become known as the 'father of GIS', particularly for his use of overlays in promoting the spatial analysis of convergent geographic data.

The CGIS was never available in a commercial form even though it lasted till late 1990s.

In 1964, Howard T. Fisher formed the Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and important theoretical concepts of spatial handling were developed and in 1970s distributed software systems like GRID, SYMAP and ODDESSEY.

How GIS Work

GIS technologies use digital information, for which various digitized data creation methods are used The most common method of data creation is digitization whereby hard copy is transferred into a digital medium through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and geo-referencing capabilities example Google Earth Software . With the wide availability of ortho-rectified imagery (both from satellite and aerial sources), heads-up digitizing is becoming the main avenue through which geographic data is extracted.

How GIS Works Continued !

Spatial

Data and Data

Non-spatial Spatial

data refers to geographic areas or features. A feature occupies a location. data has no specific location in space. It can however, have a geographic component and be linked to a geographic location.

Non-spatial

Themes
Geographical Database or Themes: Themes link features with their attributes Themes are linked by geography Collections of themes form a GIS database.

Themes can be used to solve problems like: Site Location. Visualizing customer locations is critical to businesses trying to make better marketing decisions. Analyzing location is key to making decisions about where to set up a business or service. Presenting information as maps reveals `relationships and patterns that may otherwise be hidden.

Types of Geographical Information

THE VECTOR MODEL Information about points, lines, and polygons encoded and stored as a collection of x,y coordinates.

The location of a point feature, such as a bore hole, can be described by a single x,y coordinate. Linear features, such as roads and rivers, can be stored as a collection of point coordinates.

Types of Geographical Information

THE RASTER MODEL The Raster graphics pixel as the smallest individual grid unit building block of an image, usually not readily identified as an artifact shape until an image is produced on a very large scale. A combination of the pixels making up an image color formation scheme will compose details of an image, as is distinct from the commonly used points, lines, and polygon area location symbols of scalable vector graphics as the basis of the vector model of area attribute rendering. Models continuous feature a collection of grid cells.

Advantages of The Geographical Information System (GIS).

GIS enable not only the production of one kind of map, but the production of many kinds of maps. Their data is accessed in an integrative fashion and outputs produced in an adaptive, variable fashion on demand. Maps are designed and produced as representations for particularly purposes. A GIS enables this production, which is often optimised for communication purposes based on map content. In most cases maps are in 2-D and are viewed on flat displays or paper hardcopy materials. True 3-D and 4D viewing is associated with visualisation and implies an immersive environment.

Advantages of GIS Continued

It is easy to change the data underlying a map in GIS. GIS enable participation better: a cartographer, or someone with cartographic talent, many organizations previous to GIS could not create and produce maps. Timeliness GIS produce maps more quickly than can be drawn. They can also be reproduced quicker.

Disadvantages of GIS
High cost compared to conventional outdoor substation. Excessive damage in case of internal fault. Long outage periods as repair of damaged part at site may be difficult. Requirement of cleanliness is very stringent. Dust or moisture can cause internal flashovers. Such substations are generally in door. They need a separate building This is generally not required for conventional outdoor substations.

Areas of Application of GIS

Earth surface-based scientific investigations; Resource management Reference and projections of a geospatial nature, both artificial and natural; Asset management and location planning\ Archaeology; Environmental impact-assessment; Infrastructure assessment and development; Urban planning and regional planning; Cartography, for a thematic and/or time-based purpose; Criminology; Geospatial intelligence; Gis data development;

Examples of uses of GIS :

GIS may allow emergency planners to easily calculate emergency response times and the movement of response resources (for logistics) in the case of a natural disaster; GIS might be used to find wetlands that need protection strategies regarding pollution; GIS can be used by a company to site a new business location to take advantage of GIS data identified trends to respond to a previously under-served market. Most city and transportation systems planning offices have GIS sections; and GIS can be used to track the spread of emerging infectious disease threats. This allows for informed pandemic planning and enhanced preparedness. Example of this is the John Snows type whereby he was able to detect and prevent the spread of Cholera.

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