GIS

An Introdcution

Balasubramani K
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Bharathidasan University
Tiruchirappalli – 620 024
geobalas@bdu.ac.in
 GIS
G - Geographic

I - Information

S - System

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 Map

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 Database

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GIS - Combination of map and database
In other words, GIS is a Spatial Database

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 Definition of GIS
• There is no clear-cut definition for GIS.

• A computer - assisted system for the capture,

storage, retrieval, analysis and display of spatially
referenced data (Clarke, 1986).

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 GIS: Historical background

This technology has developed from:

– Digital cartography and CAD
– Data Base Management Systems

ID X,Y ID ATTRIB
1 1 1
2 2
2 3 3
3

CAD System Data Base Management System

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 Popular Mechanics, 1954???
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 Cross-disciplinary Nature of GIS

Digital
Mapping
Computer
Aided Cartography
Design

GIS

Databases Surveying

GPS

Remote
Sensing

9
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 GIS components

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 Data
• SPATIAL DATA

• NON-SPATIAL / ATTRIBUTE DATA

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 What makes data spatial?

Latitude / Longitude Grid co-ordinate

78° 00’ 55”E, 9° 36’ 17”N 518106.72 168530.37

Placename Postcode
Tamil University 625021

Distance & bearing

10 km West from Thanjavur

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 Characteristics of spatial data

Geometry
• Location of the city
• The course of a river,
or road
• The shape of a
building or Temple

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 Attributes

• Description about spatial data

Name : Temple
Address: 5….
Town: Madurai
Maintain: Govt.
Tel. No: XXXX
Architecture Pandiya

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 Representation of Spatial data

Point

Line

Polygon

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 Spatial data storage
7,10
5,9
10

• Vector model
9,8

1,6
4,7
8,6
polygon as geometric objects:
5 2,5
6,6
points, lines, polygons
line 5,4

point
2,2 4,1

5 10

as image files
composed of grid-cells
• Raster model (pixels)

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 Vector data

Land use parcels

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 Vector data model
• Advantage
– allows precise representation of points, boundaries,
and linear features.
– useful for analysis tasks that require accurate
positioning,
– for defining spatial relationship (i.e the connectivity
and adjacency) e.g.network analysis
• Disadvantage
– the boundaries are discrete (enclosed by well-defined
boundary lines)

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 Raster data

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 Raster data model
• Advantages
– Good for representing reality (without gap)
– Visualize in common S/W

• Disadvantages
– the higher the grid resolution, the larger the file size

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Geo-relational Data Models (RDBMS)
• Linked tables based on the relational model, but storing
geographical information such as:
– Geometry
– Attributes

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 Georeferencing
• The process of determining the spatial location of
geographical features respect with geographical space.

• When data from different sources need to be

compiled, it becomes essential to have a common
referencing system.

• Primary coordinate systems:

• Geographic
• Projected

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 Geographic Coordinate System

• Latitude and Longitude (Degree, Minutes, Seconds)

X=78, Y=10
10

78
X
Latitude
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 Projected Coordinate System
• Projection – Systematic transformation from 3D
to 2D (Globe to Flat)

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 Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM)

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 Datum
• Model that used to match the location of features
on the ground to coordinates/locations on the
map based on "known points“.
– World Geodetic System 1984 or WGS 84 adopted as a
world standard.
– For India and its neighboring countries, ‘Modified form
of Everest’ datum has been widely used.

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 GIS & Analysis
In the context of GIS, analysis is...

“Deriving new information from existing data”

It is also the manipulation of data to solve a problem

e.g. identify all areas within 500m of a temple

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 Simple Query
• The identification of objects and their attributes
either by location or attribute query.

MapInfo
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 Buffering

• Creation of an area of interest around an object

– proximity analysis and environmental impact assessment

MapInfo

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 Overlay

• Overlaying involves superimposing two or more

map layers to produce a new map layer.

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 The benefits of GIS include:

• Higher quality Spatial analysis

• Better information management

• Ability to carry out “what if?” scenarios

• Improve project efficiency

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 GIS Applications

The application of GIS is

• Facilities management limited only by the imagination
• Marketing and retailing of those who use it

• Environmental - Jack Dangermond

• Transport/vehicle routing
• Health
• Insurance
and many more . . .

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 Changing Emphases:

From Data to Analysis

Spatial Analysis
Spatial 5% Analysis

10-15% Attribute Tagging

Attribute Tagging

75% Data Conversion

Data Conversion:

Past Present/Future
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 Future GIS
Past
– 2-D flat map displays
Future
– Effective 3-D visualization
– 4-D incorporation of time: “The time has come for time.”
– 5, 6 and 7-D incorporation of touch (pressure, texture,
temperature), sound and smell into modeling/simulation.
environment

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9:15 am 4:30 pm 10:15 pm
 Software

Proprietary Free Source

– ArcGIS – QGIS
– ERDAS – ILWIS
– MapInfo – Open Jump
– Geomedia – GRASS
– ER Mapper – Udig
– iGIS – Post GIS

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