Overview of GIS Technology
A Geographical Information System is a system that deals with the geographical positions on the surface of Earth.
To understand GIS we need to understand the above-mentioned terms.
Geography: Geography is a field of science related to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and climatic changes of the Earth and planets.
Information System: An information system is a collection of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and for providing important information for analysis, business planning, etc.
GIS can be performed on any information(spatial data) which includes location like longitude, latitude, addresses, zip codes, etc and compared or merged with other information like population, income, education, reforestation or deforestation, vegetation, etc to outcome the desired results.
History Of GIS
In the ’60s when the computer was boosting a lot somewhere the demand for geographic computation aroused such as spatial analysis and visualization which brings a great revolution in the era. The very first GIS was introduced in the year 1963 by Tomlinson. He created a system to store and process large amounts of data, which enabled Canada to begin its national land-use management program. In 1965, SYMAP comes into the picture, the first-ever computer mapping software program, invented by Howard Fisher. In 1969 Esri, an institute computer mapping and spatial analysis to help land-use planners and land resource managers make informed decisions. And then in 1981, the big day aroused the Esri company turned into a software company manufacturing GIS tools to solve real-world problems.
“GIS is about uncovering meaning and insights from within data. It is rapidly evolving and providing a whole new framework and process for understanding”. — Jack Dangermond(CEO, Esri).
How is GIS used?
Hundreds and thousands of organizations in the world belonging to every field are using GIS to make maps that communicate, perform analysis, share information, and solve complex problems around the world. which results in a new transformation.
Identify the problems.
Monitor atmospheric change
Set priorities for developing something.
Monitoring Forecast
Performing analysis
Manage and respond to specific events like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.
How does GIS work?
In simple terms, the combination of geography, science and necessary tools for understanding and collaboration and fetches information for different types.
Who uses GIS?
- Education
- Health
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Petroleum
- Public Safety
- Real Estate
- Retail
- Sustainability
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Electric and Gas Utilities
- Natural Resources
- Government
- Water and land bodies
