Defining the GIS system:
In the modern era of science and technology, GIS is a significant invention. GIS means Geographic Information System which is a type of computer system that captures, checks, stores, and displays data relevant to different positions on the surface of the Earth. The GIS system can present different types of data on a map. It helps people to easily view, read, and analyze the patterns and relationships; then it helps to understand the patterns and relationships of the data .
Data and GIS:
Different forms of data can be used into Geographic Information System (GIS). Data that exists in map-form can be used in the geographic information system. The data includes information like the location of roads and rivers, valleys and hills. Computerized and digital data can be used into the system. Data collected by the satellites that illustrate land uses and the location of forests, towns, or farms. Data like population information can be included in the GIS. The GIS technology can illustrate all these various kinds of information, regardless their format or source, to be showed on top of another in just a single map .
Uses of GIS:
With the help of the GIS system, people can locate and compare different places in order to achieve how the places relate to one another. As an example, different data of pollution can be showed on a single map, such as the gas stations which create pollutions and wetlands that are pollution sensitive. Such data can help to analyze and understand which wetland is at risk. Any location based information can be used in the GIS technology. Location can be stated in the convenient and understandable ways via longitude and latitude, ZIP code, or address. The information can be contrasted and compared using the GIS technology. In the system, there can be data regarding people, such as income, education level, or population. Information regarding the land can also be included, just as vegetation sites, the location of streams, kinds of soil, information about sites like farms, factories, schools, roads, electric power lines, or storm drains. If a person or an authority can get so many data from a single mapping system, then it will be certainly helpful to take future decisions. GIS has made locating and tracking of places very easier.
Using GIS in industries:
GIS technologies are helping different governmental and non-governmental agencies in many ways. GIS can be used to optimize daily fleet movements and maintenance schedules, which in result can save labor and fuel. Typical implementations can help to save about ten to thirty percent of operational expenses of a relevant industry. As an example, the City-of-Woodland refines the fleet scheduling at lesser fuel and labor.
When it is needed to take decisions on such matters that are relevant to a certain place, then it can be very helpful to understand the place if all the relevant geographic data of the place are available. The GIS technology can help to get all necessary data and in the result can help to take proper decisions. It will be helpful to select real estate sites, evacuation planning, conservation and extraction of natural resources and so on. Taiwan is planning better disaster decision-support system and responding to typhoons based on the geographic information system .
References
esri.com. (n.d.). What is GIS? Retrieved from esri: http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis
Hall, H., Costa, H., & Boudreau, D. (2011). GIS (geographic information system). Retrieved from National Geographic Society: http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/geographic-information-system-gis/
