What is Geographic Information Systems?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) store, analyze, and visualize data for geographic positions on Earth's surface. GIS is a computer-based tool that examines spatial relationships, patterns, and trends. By connecting geography with data, GIS better understands data using a geographic context.

The 4 main ideas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are:

Create geographic data.
Manage it in a database.
Analyze and find patterns.
Visualize it on a map

Because viewing and analyzing data on maps impacts our understanding of data, we can make better decisions using GIS. It helps us understand what is where. The analysis becomes simple. Answers become clear.

Because you don't fully understand your data until you see how it relates to other things in a geographic context.

Every day, GIS powers millions of decisions around world. It makes a big impact in our life and you might not even realize. For example, we use GIS for:

Pinpointing new store locations
Reporting power outages
Analyzing crime patterns
Routing in car navigation
Forecasting and predicting weather

25 November / 2020