Chapter 1: Looking at the Earth  "Geographic Information Systems"

Introduction In this chapter you have read about many of the tools used by geographers. A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that can combine many kinds of geographic information. By layering that information over maps, an analysis can be developed that will be useful to government or business in its decision making process. Destination Title: GIS.com Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window. Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips. Directions Start at the GIS.com Web site about geographic information systems. Click on What Is GIS? in the column on the left of your screen. Then click again on What Is GIS? Read down to the bottom of the screen and then click on the link Read on for more detailed information. Read this information. After you have read through the information, answer the following questions. 1. What is GIS? How is a GIS map different from a paper map? 2. Click on How to Use GIS in the column on the left of the screen. Scroll down and click on Mapping Change. Why would someone want to use GIS to map change? 3. Click on Why Use GIS? How can GIS help people to make better decisions? 4. Click on GIS for Your Specialty, and then click on Government. How is GIS being used to make governments more efficient? 5. Now that you have learned about all the different uses of GIS, think about a situation in your area that GIS could help analyze. Describe who would be using it, for what purpose, what data they will want to show, and how GIS would help in analyzing the situation. (For further study contact your local government and find out about its use of GIS.)