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Introduction To GIS: Bindura University of Science Education

This document provides an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS). It defines GIS as a computer-based system for storing, analyzing and visualizing spatial data referenced to locations. Key points include that GIS can handle geo-referenced data about the characteristics and locations of real-world features, examine spatial relationships between features, and answer questions about features and changes over time at specific locations. The main components of a GIS are computer hardware and software, digital spatial data, and human users. GIS has applications in fields like natural resource management, agriculture, and transportation.

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Ropafadzo Mashingaidze
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56 views

Introduction To GIS: Bindura University of Science Education

This document provides an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS). It defines GIS as a computer-based system for storing, analyzing and visualizing spatial data referenced to locations. Key points include that GIS can handle geo-referenced data about the characteristics and locations of real-world features, examine spatial relationships between features, and answer questions about features and changes over time at specific locations. The main components of a GIS are computer hardware and software, digital spatial data, and human users. GIS has applications in fields like natural resource management, agriculture, and transportation.

Uploaded by

Ropafadzo Mashingaidze
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to GIS

L. Mabhungu

Bindura University of Science Education

11/7/2022 1
Definition for GIS
• GIS – Geographic information system
• It represents the integration of many subject
areas.
GIS is a computer-based information system
designed to accept large volumes of spatial
data derived from various sources and to
efficiently store, retrieve, analyse, model and
display (output) these data according to user
defined specifications.
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• Unlike other information systems, a GIS can
handle geo-referenced data.
• Geographically referenced data are data that
describe both the location and characteristics
(attributes) of spatial features such as roads, land
parcels, and vegetation stands on the earth’s
surface.
• The ability of GIS to handle and process geo-
referenced data distinguishes GIS from other
information systems,
• and qualifies GIS as a technology important to a
wide variety of applications.

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• No man is an island, and in GIS, no feature is
an orphan.
• A GIS helps us visualize information and see
patterns and spatial relationships that aren’t
otherwise apparent.
• Spatial relationships- relationships based on
location.

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• A GIS can be used to answer five basic
questions (Walker and Miller, 1990):
(1) What exists at a particular site or location?
(2) Where are certain conditions met?
(3) What changes have occurred over time and
where have these changes occurred?
(4) What are the social, economic, or
environmental impacts of a particular change in
the use of land?
(5) What will happen if the existing land use for
a particular site is altered to another type of
use?
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Main components of GIS
• Computer Hardware – computers and other
devices used for storing data, displaying graphics
and processing data.
• Digital Data – the geographical information that
you will view and analyse using computer
hardware and software.
• Computer Software – computer programs that
run on the computer hardware and allow you to
work with digital data.
• Human- for operating
• Procedures
11/7/2022 8
GIS Related fields

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APPLICATIONS OF GIS
• Water resources management
• Natural resources management e.g land use
planning, natural hazard assessment, wildlife
habitat analysis etc.
• Agriculture e.g crop area estimation, yield
prediction.
• Population studies
• In-car navigation systems that can guide the driver
with turn-by-turn directions to any destination in
their GIS database

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Main properties of geographic
phenomena
They have the following main properties:
• 1) Location (can be geo-referenced)
• 2)Attributes (can be named or described)
• 3) spatial relationships
• 4) may be assigned a time (interval) at which it
is /was present

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Representing Geographic phenomena
There are two ways
1) As (geographic) field (continuous)
• A geographic field is a geographic phenomenon
for which, for every point in the study area, a
value can be determined e.g temperature, pressure,
elevation

2) As (Geographic) objects/ entities


• Geographic objects populate the study area,
and are usually well distinguishable, discrete,
bounded entities. The space between them is
potentially ‘empty’ or undetermined e.g
earthquake points, dams, buildings, rivers, roads.

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