Unit 1

a. What is GIS? Explain any four application areas of GIS.

GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a computer-based tool designed for capturing, storing, managing,
analyzing, and presenting spatial or geographic data.

It integrates various data types such as maps, satellite imagery, and survey data to provide insights into
spatial relationships, patterns, and trends.

• Urban Planning and Development:

• GIS is widely used in urban planning to analyze land use patterns, assess infrastructure needs, and
plan for sustainable development.

• It helps city planners make informed decisions regarding zoning regulations, transportation networks,
and green space allocation.

• Natural Resource Management:

• GIS aids in managing and conserving natural resources like forests, water bodies, and wildlife
habitats.

• It monitors environmental changes, assesses biodiversity, and plans for sustainable resource
utilization.

• GIS identifies areas for conservation, resource extraction, and habitat restoration.

• Disaster Management and Emergency Response:

• GIS plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

• It assists emergency responders in mapping hazard zones, planning evacuation routes, and
coordinating rescue operations during natural disasters.

• GIS enables real-time tracking of resources and affected areas for efficient response.

• Public Health Analysis:

• GIS is utilized in public health to map disease outbreaks, analyze health trends, and plan healthcare
services.

• It identifies high-risk populations, tracks the spread of infectious diseases, and targets resources for
disease prevention and control.

• GIS enables epidemiological studies to understand the spatial patterns of diseases and their risk
factors.

b. Define GIS. Briefly explain any two capabilities of GIS.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based system designed to handle geo-referenced data,
providing capabilities for data capture, management, manipulation, analysis, and presentation. It integrates
spatial and attribute data to facilitate decision-making processes and spatial analysis.

• Data Capture and Preparation:

 • Data capture involves collecting and converting spatial information into digital format for computer
analysis.

• Techniques such as digitizing maps, using electronic scanning devices, or placing buoys with
measuring equipment for environmental data collection are employed.

• In the example of studying El Niño, data capture involves collecting sea water temperatures and wind
speed measurements from buoys equipped with sensors.

• Data Management:

• Data management encompasses decisions on how to represent spatial and attribute data effectively.

• It involves tasks such as data verification, attribute management, insertion, updating, deletion, and
retrieval.

• In the example, data management involves storing and maintaining the data transmitted by buoys via
satellite communication, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for analysis.

These capabilities of GIS enable users to efficiently collect, store, manage, analyze, and present spatial data,
supporting various applications across different domains such as environmental monitoring, urban planning,
disaster management, and more.

c. What is GI System, GI Science and GIS Application? Explain.

GISystem:

• A Geographic Information System (GISystem) is a technological framework.

• It is used to capture, store, manage, analyze, and present spatial and geographic data.

• GISystems consist of hardware, software, data, and personnel.

• They support the collection, storage, manipulation, and visualization of geographic information.

• GISystems are employed in fields like urban planning, environmental management, transportation,
and public health.

• They facilitate decision-making processes and solve complex spatial problems.

• GISystems improve understanding of spatial relationships and support various applications.

GIScience:

• Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is a multidisciplinary field.

• It focuses on studying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications.

• GIScience integrates disciplines like geography, computer science, mathematics, and environmental
science.

• It explores how geographic information is represented, processed, analyzed, and utilized.

• GIScience investigates methods for data capture, storage, manipulation, analysis, and visualization
within GIS.

• It aims to understand spatial relationships and patterns in the real world.

 • GIScience also explores the theoretical foundations underlying GIS processes.

GIS Application:

• GIS applications utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in various fields and industries.

• They solve specific problems and make informed decisions using GIS technology.

• Examples include urban planning, disaster management, environmental monitoring, transportation

planning, and public health.

• GIS applications address spatial challenges and advance knowledge in diverse domains.

• They leverage the capabilities of GIS technology to improve processes related to spatial data.

• GIS applications play a crucial role in decision-making, risk assessment, emergency response, and
disease mapping.

d. How modeling helps in representing real world? Explain. 2

Modeling is a crucial process in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that helps us represent the real world
digitally and analyze various processes and phenomena more effectively.

These can be some important point how modelling helps to representing real world .

• Modeling in GIS involves abstracting real-world phenomena to create simplified representations that
can be processed and analyzed efficiently.
• These representations are stored digitally within the GIS, allowing for manipulation and analysis using
various computational techniques.
• Through modeling, complex spatial relationships and patterns in the real world can be better
understood and explored.
• GIS modeling facilitates the simulation of scenarios and what-if analysis, helping users anticipate
outcomes and make informed decisions.
• Models can be refined and adjusted based on new data or changes in the understanding of the
phenomenon being studied.
• GIS modeling enables interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing experts from different fields to
contribute their knowledge and expertise to the modeling process.
• It supports spatial decision-making by providing insights into spatial patterns, trends, and relationships
that may not be apparent from raw data alone.
• Modeling in GIS helps bridge the gap between real-world observations and theoretical concepts,
facilitating scientific inquiry and exploration.

e. Explain the concept of Spatialtemporal data models. Explain the different concepts
of time. 2

• Spatial-Temporal Data Models:

 • Spatial-temporal data models are tools used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to handle both
spatial and temporal information together.

• They help us understand how geographic features change over time by organizing data into
snapshots representing different moments.

• These models structure data storage and retrieval, making it easy to find information based on both
location and time.

• With spatial-temporal data models, we can analyze and visualize how things evolve over time in
maps and graphs.

❖ Different Concepts of Time:

Discrete and Continuous Time:

o Discrete Time: Measuring time in distinct intervals like seconds, minutes, hours, or days.
o Continuous Time: Representing time as a smooth, continuous flow without separate intervals. It
allows for infinite precision.

Valid Time and Transaction Time:

o Valid Time (or World Time): The actual time an event occurred in the real world.
o Transaction Time (or Database Time): The time when the event was recorded or stored in the
database or GIS.

Linear, Branching, and Cyclic Time:

o Linear Time: Progressing straightforwardly from the past through the present and into the future.
o Branching Time: Allowing for multiple timelines or alternate futures to originate from a specific
point.
o Cyclic Time: Recognizing repetitive patterns or cycles like seasons, days of the week, or lunar phases.

Time Granularity:

o Refers to the level of detail or precision in measuring time intervals, such as years, months, days,
hours, or seconds.
o Different applications may need varying levels of granularity based on their time resolution
requirements.
 Unit 2
a. Explain the various reasons for using DBMS in GIS. 3
Various reasons exist for using a Database Management System (DBMS) in GIS.

Support for Large Data Sets:

• DBMS efficiently handles storage and manipulation of large data sets, avoiding performance issues
associated with storing data in text files or spreadsheets.

Data Correctness and Integrity:

• Integrity constraints in DBMS ensure data correctness by enforcing rules such as valid data ranges,
reducing errors in GIS data entry.

Concurrent Data Access:

• DBMS allows multiple users to access and modify the same data set simultaneously without
conflicts, enhancing collaboration and productivity in GIS environments.

Declarative Query Language:

• DBMS provides a high-level query language for defining and executing queries, enabling users to
retrieve specific spatial information or perform spatial analysis efficiently in GIS.

Data Model Support:

• DBMS supports data models like the relational data model, aiding in organizing spatial data and
relationships between geographic features for effective data management and analysis in GIS.

Data Backup and Recovery:

• DBMS includes backup and recovery functions to ensure data availability in case of system failures or
disasters, maintaining data integrity and continuity of GIS operations.

Control of Data Redundancy:

• DBMS helps control data redundancy by storing single facts only once, reducing the risk of
contradictory information and ensuring data consistency and reliability in GIS applications.
b. Differentiate between Vector data and Raster Data. 3

c. Explain the relational data model using suitable example. 3

• The relational data model is a framework for organizing and managing data in a database system. It
revolves around the concept of relations, which are essentially tables containing rows and columns.
Each row, known as a tuple or record, represents a single instance of data, while each column, called
an attribute or field, defines a specific characteristic of that data.

• For example , consider a library database. We can have a "Books" table that includes attributes like
book ID, title, author, genre, and publication year. Each row in this table represents a different book
available in the library, with each attribute providing specific information about that book.

• Additionally, the relational model enforces integrity constraints to maintain data accuracy and
consistency. These constraints include rules such as primary key constraints, foreign key constraints,
and unique constraints, ensuring that the data remains valid and reliable.

• Moreover, interaction with the database is facilitated through queries, updates, and transactions.
Queries retrieve information from the database without altering its contents, while updates and
transactions modify the data as necessary, all while adhering to the defined integrity constraints.
 • The relational data model offers a structured approach to storing, organizing, and manipulating data,
exemplified by its use of relations, tuples, attributes, and integrity constraints within a database
system.

d. List the functional components of GIS. Explain any two of them in details. 3

• The functional components of GIS include data capture and preparation, data storage, data analysis,
presentation of spatial data, and manipulation and Analysis.

These are the Two main functional component of GIS.

• Data Capture and Preparation:
o Data capture and preparation involve collecting, acquiring, and preprocessing spatial and attribute
data. This process ensures that the data is accurate, consistent, and compatible with GIS software
and tools. Methods such as digitizing, scanning, GPS data capture, and remote sensing are used to
collect spatial data from various sources. Once collected, the data undergoes cleaning, formatting,
and transformation to ensure its quality and usability within the GIS. For example, if satellite imagery
is used to monitor land cover changes, the data must be processed to remove noise, correct
distortions, and extract relevant information before it can be integrated into the GIS.

• Data Storage:
o Data storage refers to the organization, management, and storage of spatial and attribute data within
the GIS. This component ensures that the data is efficiently stored, indexed, and accessible for
analysis and visualization. Data storage systems can include databases, file systems, and data
structures optimized for spatial querying and retrieval. For example, a GIS may use a relational
database management system (RDBMS) to store spatial data in tables with spatial indexes for
efficient querying. The data storage component also ensures data integrity, security, and scalability to
handle large volumes of spatial data effectively.
 Unit 3
a. Explain 2D geographic coordinate system using suitable example. 3

A 2D geographic coordinate system uses lines of latitude (φ) and longitude (λ) to represent locations on the
Earth's surface. Here's how it works:

Latitude (φ): Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the Equator. For instance, the latitude
of the North Pole is +90°, and the latitude of the South Pole is -90°.

Longitude (λ): Longitude measures how far east or west a point is from the Prime Meridian. The Prime
Meridian is located in Greenwich, England, and has a longitude of 0°. Longitude values range from -
180° to +180°, with positive values indicating east and negative values indicating west.

Example: Let's consider the coordinates for City Hall in Enschede: φ = 52.13026° N and λ = 6.53032° E. This
means City Hall is located approximately 52.13026 degrees north of the Equator and 6.53032 degrees east of
the Prime Meridian.

The 2D geographic coordinate system uses latitude and longitude to pinpoint locations on the Earth's
surface. These coordinates provide precise information about a point's position relative to the Equator and
Prime Meridian.

b. Write a note on GPS. 2

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the U.S.
Department of Defense.
• GPS comprises a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit around the Earth, providing geolocation
and time information globally.
• It operates under the management of the Department of Defense and is utilized for various
purposes, including military and civilian navigation.
• Oversight for GPS-related matters impacting federal agencies is provided by the National Space-
Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee.
• The Federal Aviation Administration oversees GPS usage in civil aviation, receiving reports from
aviation users.
• Due to its accessibility and capabilities, GPS is widely employed across a multitude of applications
worldwide.

Component of GPS .

• Satellites: These function as celestial beacons in constellations, continuously transmitting signals to

Earth.
• Ground Stations: Utilizing radar technology, ground stations monitor and verify the positions of GPS
satellites.
 • Receivers: Found in devices like phones and cars, receivers capture satellite signals, calculate their
distances, and determine the user's precise location once signals from at least four satellites are
received.

c. What are the different classifications of Map Projections? Explain any two. 2

Map projections can be classified into various categories based on their intended purpose and the properties
they preserve or distort.

Here are two classifications along with explanations:

Equal area projections:

• These projections prioritize preserving the area of specific features on the Earth's surface.
• While they accurately maintain area measurements, they often distort other properties such as
shape, angle, and scale.
• An example is the Albers Equal Area Conic projection, which distorts shapes and distances towards
the outer edges of the map but accurately represents areas. It's suitable for thematic mapping
where preserving relative sizes of regions is crucial.

Conformal projections:

• Conformal projections focus on preserving local shapes and angles, especially for small areas.
• They accurately maintain the individual angles between intersecting lines, aiding in describing
spatial relationships.
• The Mercator projection is a famous example. It's ideal for navigation as it preserves angles,
facilitating plotting courses using straight lines. However, it distorts areas and distances, particularly
in high latitudes, limiting its use for thematic mapping where precise area representation matters.