Geographic Information Systems

Geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, and development planning. For example, a GIS might allow emergency planners to easily calculate emergency response times in the event of a natural disaster, or a GIS might be used to find wetlands that need protection from pollution.

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• USGS node of the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse - a component of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).
• Manual of Federal Geographic Data Products
• Other Useful GIS Links

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What is a GIS?

In the strictest sense, a GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information , i.e. data identified according to their locations. Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating personnel and the data that go into the system.

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How does a GIS work?

• Relating information from different sources
• Data capture
• Data integration
• Projection and registration
• Data structures
• Data modeling

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What's special about a GIS?

The way maps and other data have been stored or filed as layers of information in a GIS makes it possible to perform complex analyses.

• Information retrieval
• Topological modeling
• Networks
• Overlay
• Data output

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Applications of GIS

• GIS through history
• Using GIS
  • Mapmaking
  • Site selection
  • Emergency response planning
  • Simulating environmental effects
• Graphic display techniques
• The future of GIS

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The content of this page was copied from USGS Website.
For more information please refer to the site: mapping.usgs.gov