GEOGRAPHY

GRADE 10, 11 and 12

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GIS Notes
and
Questions and Answers

COMPILED BY LH SMITH
(Edited by SDJ Nduze)

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 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
GRADES 10-12

What is GIS?
GIS is the abbreviation used for a Geographic Information System which is an organized
collection of hardware, software, geographic data and personnel, used to capture, store,
manipulate, analyse, manage, display and output data and/or information which can be spatially
referenced to the earth
What is Geographical data?
It is information about things that exist and things that happen anywhere on Earth.

How do you collect Geographical data?

• Through remote sensing.
• People that collect information e.g. surveyors
• To convert information on maps in digital form
• Using existing information on documents and capture it on computer programs.

Fieldworker
Another method to gather data (information) is to make use of a fieldworker that must physically
go to a certain area to get the data. The following equipment etc. is used by a fieldworker
namely: camera, charts, compasses, computers, GPS, graphics, aerial photography, satellite
images, topographic maps, city and road maps.

What is remote sensing?

Method of taking pictures of the earth’s surface without having physical contact with it.
Satellites, aircrafts and drones are used from a distance to take photos of the earth’s surface.

Who is using remote sensing and why?

• Nature conservation e.g. to count the Rhinos, Lions etc.
• Police service to combat crime
• Military to gather information on the enemy
• Agricultural companies to get info on desertification, crops, crop diseases, etc.
• Municipalities – to photograph their city, to assist them in town planning

Types of remote sensing

• Passive remote sensing: Measure energy radiating from earth like temperature, soil type,
land use, etc.
• Active remote sensing: Satellites sends out microwave radiation to earth and then the
satellite measures the radiation earth sends back to the satellite. This gives information
about minerals, rocks, vegetation, ocean currents, etc.

Types of data
• Attribute data: This data is descriptive information about an area like a road, a river
or a town. For example, the attributes of a mountain might be its
name, width, total length and its height. Attribute information is
stored in a table in the GIS program.

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 • Spatial data: It is the geographic map features like point, lines and polygons and
It’s co-ordinates, (specific location) of these data which are stored in
the GIS program.

Raster and Vector data

GIS image data is stored in two different ways.

Vector: Is co-ordinate-based. It uses points, lines and polygons. The data file for a vector
image contains the location coordinator.
Raster: Is cell based. It shows graphics as rows and columns of tiny rectangular pixels
(pictures). Examples of raster data are digital pictures from satellites and from
digital cameras (like cellphone camera).

What are points, lines and polygons?

Point features: are map features that have no length or area and are indicated on a map
with a point like a school.
Line features: are map features that have length but no area, this on a map is for example
a river.
Polygon (area) features: are two-dimensional shapes for example a dam.

Advantages and disadvantages of Raster and Vector file formats

Vector advantages:
• Because vector graphics are not made up of pixels, images can be scaled up to be very
large without losing quality.
• It needs a smaller file size because a large uniform area can be defined only by its point
co-ordinates.
• It is easier to handle vector data on a computer than raster data because it has fewer
data items.
• Vector data is simpler to update.

Vector disadvantages:
• They take a long time to create.
• They don’t show some shapes properly, especially sharply curved shapes.

Raster advantages:
• Raster graphics are great for showing very complicated images, such as photographs.
• They come up on computer screens quickly.

Raster disadvantages:
• The images are made up of pixels. When they are enlarged the image becomes ‘blocky’
because each pixel increases in size.
• They need much more computer capacity because the image needs space for every
single pixel.
• The large number of data items makes processing slower.

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What are pixels?
Digital photos are all about how many rectangular cells (this is pixel blocks) covering an area
(photo) the higher the number of pixels the clearer and sharper the photo is (high pixels). For
example, a photo of digital camera indicating 6 pixels will be a better quality photo than the
same photo taken with a 3 pixel digital camera.

Spatial resolution
How clear and detailed the location and shape of a feature is.

Global positioning system (GPS)

Satellites in space used to determine locations on the earth’s surface. Today we can use a
GPS in cars for route planning.

GPS errors
GPS errors occur because satellites drift slightly from their orbits. GPS signals are delayed
when it travel through the atmosphere. GPS receivers are also not perfect.

Capturing of data (information)

To capture all the data that was collected on a computer is called digitizing. Digitize is the
process of converting the original data to a digital format that can be handled by a computer.

Data manipulation
The ability to manipulate the data so that the system can perform a wide range of functions. In
order to change or rearrange data to make it more meaningful. For example; if an engineer is
planning to build a road bridge over a river he only needs certain data like the contour lines on a
topographical map, the flood line, the buffer zone of the river, type of soil formation, volume of
traffic, etc.

Analysis of data
The engineer will then study the data he received and determine where the bridge should be
built then determine the height of the bridge, etc.

Buffering
To demarcate (mark off) an area around an object. The marked-off area is called the buffer
zone.

Spatial Object
Any feature on earth which we can record as a point, a line or a polygon.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Explain the term data manipulation.
Answer: The ability to manipulate the data so that the system can perform a wide range
of functions

2. Explain why it is necessary to manipulate data on maps.

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 Answer: Because you only want to use certain information that only relates to your
specific task you must do, and all the other information is not necessary.

3. Explain the term special resolution.

Answer: How clear and detailed the location and shape of a feature is.

4. Two cameras are used to take a photo, a 2.0 megapixel and a 3.5 megapixel
camera. Which one of the cameras will take better quality pictures?
Answer: 3.5-megapixel camera.

5. Explain your Answer in question 4.

Answer: More rectangular cells covering the area / More pixels per unit area.

6. Heavy rainfall sometimes results in flooding along a river, how can you use GIS to
manage this disaster?
Answer: Use GIS to determine the best position higher up in the river to build a dam so
that the run-off can be managed. Draw a buffer zone along the river according to the
flood line. No development may take place in this buffer zone.

7. Urbanization has a negative impact on rivers. How will buffering prevent the negative
impact on rivers?
Answer: To demarcate a specific distance from a river (both sides) where no
development may take place and where the natural vegetation will grow, and no human
activity may take place.

8. Differentiate between spatial and attribute data.

Answer: Spatial: Map features like points, lines and polygons and its specific location.
Attribute: This is descriptive information about an area.

9. Give examples of spatial data found on the topographical and orthophoto maps.
Answer: Wind pumps, roads, power lines, rivers buildings, dams etc.

10. Data storage in GIS should be in a form of……..?

Answer: Vector and raster.

11. State TWO processes necessary when working with GIS.

Answer: Data input, data storage, data manipulation, data analysis, data management,
etc.

12. Define the term remote sensing.

Answer: Method of taking pictures of the earth’s surface without having physical contact
with it.
13. Which one between the orthophoto map or a topographical map have a higher spatial
resolution (clear – higher resolution)?
Answer: Orthophoto map

14. Explain data layering.

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 Answer: Different types of information are projected on different layers of the same
area. These layers can be placed on top of one another.

15. Name some layers of information.

Answer: Vegetation layer, Drainage (rivers) layer, infrastructure (roads, railway, power
lines), a layer showing houses/buildings, layers with contour lines, cultivation layer, land-
use layer etc.

16. Give TWO uses of data layering in GIS.

Answer: To compare different sets of data. To find the relationship between different
sets of data. Analyzing different sets of information. Plan future development. To
establish the exact location of a new development (like a school, shopping mall, etc.).
Also, to help to identify certain things.

17. What is GIS?

Answer: GIS is the abbreviation used for a Geographic Information System which is an
organized collection of hardware, software, geographic data and personnel, used to
capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, display and output data and/or information
which can be spatially referenced to the earth.

18. Differentiate between vector and raster data.

Answer: Vector: Real world is shown by means of points, lines and polygons features.
Raster: Real world features shown by means of pixels e.g. photos.

19. Classify the following data, namely images and polygons, as vector or raster data.
Answer: Images - Raster data
Polygons - Vector data

20. Name any TWO components of GIS.

Answer: Software, Hardware, Personnel (People), Geographic data, Applications
(Methods/Procedures)

21. You want to open a take-away food franchise in your town. Explain how would you make
use of GIS in order to ensure that you select the best/correct location for your business?
(4x2=8)
Answer: Determine existing major transport routes / Accessibility / Determine crime
rates / Economic status of inhabitants / Number of customers/market/threshold
population / Existing competition / Building cost / Types of products to sell / Determine
geology/topography/relief/drainage/soils whether they are suitable for development /
Zoning/municipal by-laws / Availability of space for future expansion

22. Explain the term resolution.

Answer: It refers to the detail and accuracy of an image/photo.

23. How do you know that the orthophoto map has a high resolution?
Answer: All features are clear, and it is a photograph.

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24. Why is the orthophoto map an example of raster data?
Answer: It is a photo and therefore consists of pixel/digital blocks.

25. How can the municipality use remote sensing to monitor the negative impact of increased
erosion?
Answer: Identify causes of erosion / Collected data can show how the area has been
disturbed / Collected data can be used to plan strategies to combat soil erosion / Recent
photographs are compared to older photographs / Replanting of trees where vegetation
has been destroyed / Create a buffer zone / Implementation of correct farming methods /
Make decision makers aware of the severity of the problem / Build a model of possible
solutions.

26. Mention TWO ways in which data can be collected to do an environmental impact study.
Answer: Surveys / Questionnaires / Photographs / Remote sensing/satellite images /
Testing of natural environment e.g. testing soil and water quality / Physical
measurements using secondary data / Using existing maps

27. Explain the term data integration.

Answer: It is the combining of different information sources.

28. When a cartographer (person who designs maps) sketches a map, what are the
problems he must deal with?
Answer: Using maps with different scales.
Using photos/images with different scales.
Getting the shapes of the features correct.
Using maps with different map projections.
Make use of fieldwork information that is not accurate or correct.

29. When there is a question asking you to give the spatial position of a certain place.
Answer: Then you must answer the question by writing down the co-ordinates of that
place.

30. Data gathered by a satellite is not always user-friendly. Which GIS process is used to
ensure that data can be used by all people?
Answer: Data standardisation / Data processing / Data manipulation

31. Images from the satellite were used to construct the topographical map. Explain how
South African topographical maps are standardised.
Answer: The symbols used on the topographic maps are standard/the same
The scale of 1: 50 000 is used on all South African topographic maps
All South African topographic maps use the Gauss Conform Projection
The contour intervals are always 20 m / The sheet index is consistent
Linear scale evident on all maps / The magnetic declination for the map is always
indicated / The use of alpha-numeric grid cells.

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32. South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) ensures that all products used in South Africa
meet specific standards before they can be distributed to retail companies and
consumers. Data used in GIS also has standards, what is data standardisation in GIS?
Answer: The act of applying agreed international and/or national standards to ensure
that the data used in GIS is valid and reliable.
33. What is the purpose of standardisation?
Answer: To ensure that the data captured conform to agreed standards.

34. An urban and regional planner wants to examine the building density of an area on the
map. He/She decides to use an orthophoto map in the local council's database. Give
reasons for his/her choice.
Answer: The orthophoto map has a good spatial resolution/high degree of clarity/detail
The orthophoto map is a photo/image of the area/realistic view/primary source
It gives him/her a clear plan view of the building density/distance between buildings
It gives updated information
The local community data base will have updated information
Orthophoto map has a larger scale
35. How does the map reference ensure that there is data standardisation between the
topographical map and the orthophoto map?
Answer: The reference ensures that symbols that represent features are the same in
both the topographical map and the orthophoto map.