GIS: What is it? Who uses it?

Abdul Haleem.R. 213001

What is GIS?
Geographic Information Systems

 Geographic Information System (GIS) can be defined as a set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving and displaying

geographically referenced spatial data with its corresponding attribute information to meet a specific requirement.

 Spatial data:- is generally in the form of maps, which could be topography, geology, soil types, forests, land cover, water availability, etc.

Attribute data:- Statistics of written text, tables and lists of data.

For simplicity's sake we often call GIS "mapping software."

We most often associate maps with physical geography, but the map to the right demonstrates that GIS is flexible enough to map any kind of terrain, even the human body. GIS can map any data you wish.

What do you need for a GIS to work?

Computer Hardware Computer Software Data for a database A Location to Study Thinking Explorer

So who uses GIS?

Businesses Schools Government Agencies Police Departments Fire Departments Military Farmers Natural Resources
Fish and Wildlife Services Oceanic Studies Foresters

Utilities
Water, Gas, Electricity, Phone

Tourism Departments

Police Departments
Frequency of Juvenile Offenses (1998)

City of WinstonSalem, North Carolina

Transportation Departments
Deciding where new roads should be placed and what roads need repair

Public Health and Safety

Geography Education Commitment Index Applied to NC School Districts

Legend
NCSchool Districts

Geography Education Index Values

0: Not Included in Study (Federal School Districts) 1: No commitment to Geography Ed 2: Little commitment to Geography Ed 3: Moderate commitment to Geography Ed 4: Strong commitment to Geography Ed

School Districts and Departments Of Instruction

How much does it pay to work in the GIS field in the US?
Average Salary: $42,098
Total Males:

Level of Education:
Total AD Degrees: 6% Total BA Degrees: 16% Total BS Degrees: 40% 23% Total MA Degrees: 8% Total MS Degrees: 15% Total PhD Degrees: 2% Total Other Degrees: 3% Total No Degree: 5%
Source: GIS Jobs.com

Total Females:

77%

Total Responses: 9438 Average Years of Experience: 4.92

Thank You