Introduction to

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Chapter 1

Khadar Abdisalam, M.Sc.

University of Hargeisa
Chapter Outline

HOW DOES
INTRODUCTION TO GIS GIS WORK?
1 3

GEOGRAPHY
DATABASE &
TYPES OF DATA
4

GIS USES AND CAPABILITES Geographic Information

2
Systems (GIS)
 We Live in Two Worlds
Natural World Constructed World

Self-Regulating Managed
. . . These Are Increasingly In Conflict
Geography
“Geo” = Earth

study of the
earth

and where things are

 Data vs. Information

Data  raw facts, no context, just numbers and

text
 Data is of little use unless it is transformed
into information.

 data with context

Information  Processed data
 value-added to data
 summarized
 organized
 Analyzed
 We transform data into information through
the use of an Information System
 Data vs. Information
• Data: 51018
• Information:
 5/10/18 The date of your final exam.
 $51,018 The average starting salary of an
engineering major.
 51018 Zip code of Berbera.
 Data vs. Information

Data Information
• 6.34 SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC.

• 6.45
$7.20
• 6.39
$7.00
• 6.62
• 6.57 $6.80

Stock Price
• 6.64 $6.60

• 6.71 $6.40
• 6.82 $6.20
• 7.12 $6.00
• 7.06
$5.80
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Last 10 Days
Data  Information 
Knowledge
Data

Summarizing the data

Averaging the data
Selecting part of the data
Graphing the data
Adding context
Adding value

Information
Data  Information 
Knowledge
Information

How is the info tied to outcomes?

Are there any patterns in the info?
What info is relevant to the problem?
How does this info effect the system?
What is the best way to use the info?
How can we add more value to the info?

Knowledge
 Information Systems

Generic Goal:
• Transform Data into Information

 At the Core of an Information System is a

Database (raw data).
What is an Information
System?
What is GIS?

1
What is a GIS?
GIS Definition
What is GIS?
 Geographic Information System

…not just software!

…not just for making maps!
 What is a GIS?
GEOGRAPHIC Information System

GIS links graphical features (entities) to

tabular data (attributes)
GIS Functions
GIS Components
 How does a GIS work?
• GIS data has a spatial/geographic
reference

 This might be a reference that

describes a feature on the earth using:

• a latitude & longitude

• a national coordinate system
• an address
• a district
• a road name
Geography and Databases
• A GIS stores information about the
world as a collection of thematic layers
that can be linked together by
geography

Polygon 3 Scrub 17 Very high Clay

 GIS provides Data Integration

107’
Vectors
Topology Dimensions
• Roads
• Land Parcels Surveys
• Population ABC
• Utilities Networks
• Land Mines Images Annotation
• Hospitals CAD
• Refugee Camps Drawings
27 Main St.

• Wells
• Sanitation 3D Objects
Addresses Attributes
Terrain
Two fundamental types of data
• Vector
 A series of x,y coordinates
 For discrete data represented as points, lines,
polygons
• Raster
 Grid and cells
 For continuous data such as elevation, slope,
surfaces

• A Desktop GIS should be able to handle both

types of data effectively!
 Data Representation

Raster

Vector

Real World
 Other features of a GIS
• Produce good cartographic products
(translation = maps)
• Generate and maintain metadata
• Use and share geoprocessing models
• Managing data in a geodatabase
using data models for each sector
What can you do with a GIS?

• The possibilities are unlimited…

 Environmental impact assessment
 Resource management
 Land use planning
 Tax Mapping
 Water and Sanitation Mapping
 Transportation routing
 and more ...
 Who uses GIS?
• International organizations
 UN HABITAT, The World Bank, UNEP, FAO, WHO,
etc.
• Private industry
 Transport, Real Estate, Insurance, etc.
• Government
 Ministries of Environment, Housing, Agriculture,
etc.
 Local Authorities, Cities, Municipalities, etc.
 Provincial Agencies for Planning, Parks,
Transportation, etc.
• Non-profit organizations/NGO’s
 World Resources Institute, ICMA, etc.
• Academic and Research Institutions
 Smithsonian Institution, CIESIN, etc.
…working together!
Thank You!