Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are sets of hardware, software, data, and personnel that provide for the handling, analysis, and modelling of geographic information. While GIS can typically be done without computers, the use of information technology, over the past 30 years, has propelled geographic information science into virtually all facets of our world. See real world examples below - as well as links to informative sites.

GIS is used extensively in environmental analysis - including: hazardous waste cleanup, forestry, oil exploration, watershed analysis, agricultural development, oceanography, etc. .The map to the right utilizes a thematic approach to displaying information on a map - by changing the color of informational characteristics. This particular map shows the change in elevation of the ocean floor - with cooler colors indicating lower elevations, and hotter colors indicating higher elevations. One of the critical uses of GIS is to apply massive amounts of information from a relational database to a dynamic mapping application - so as information changes in the database - so the information on the dynamic map changes.

The development and use of GIS for daily activities related to government, metropolitan areas, and how we manage information related to largely-populated areas is becoming less of an oddity, and more of a requirement. Use of GIS by city agencies is one of the largest areas of growth with regards to geospatial analysis and management. To the left is a map that depicts cadastral information for the city of Seattle, WA. Seattle, like many other large metropolitan areas, use GIS to manage and support virtually all aspects of city government. Is your community using GIS?