GIS (Geographic Information System)

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data. GIS applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), analyze spatial information, edit data in maps, and present the results of all these operations.

Users of a GIS can combine map layers to see relationships between data sets that would be impossible to discern by looking at the data sets individually. A GIS allows us to visualize relationships between data sets in order to see patterns that would be otherwise hidden.

A GIS can be used to answered questions such as:

• Where is the closest hospital to my home?
• What is the best route to take to avoid traffic?
• What areas are most likely to be affected by a natural disaster?
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Learning how to use a GIS can be challenging, but there are many resources available to help, including online tutorials, classes, and books.