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| GIS has the ability
to layer multiple pieces of information for a geographic
region |
INTRODUCTION TO GIS
GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information System. It is
primarily a computer software that allows the user to stack,
or layer, muliple pieces of information for a specific geographic
region. Beginner users of GIS technology are able to create
maps, develop queries of the data, and create charts and images
for presentation purposes.
GIS is a technology traditionally used for resource development
and management, as those are industries conventionally dependent
on working with the location, or spatial attributes, of a
resource. As computers improve, more industries are able to
explore the value of spatial thinking. Health is a field where
GIS and spatial thinking can be very useful. RRHAN will use
GIS to evaluate and interpret the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the
BC's Aboriginal population and develop the best solutions
for Aboriginal People living with HIV/AIDS. The GIS technology
will answer questions about the impact of HIV on the Aboriginal
population of BC and the response to the epidemic by Aboriginal
people, HIV/AIDS service organizations and government.
GIS technology provides the ability to see spatial relationships
between data layers that may not be apparent to us when we
visually compare databases and maps. In a GIS, spatial and
attribute datasets can be built, maintained and compared.
- Spatial data describes the location, shape and relationships
of an geographic feature
- Attribute data describes the characteristics of a geographic
feature
- A dataset is a collection of logically related data items
GIS technology allows the creation of layers or themes of
data. Each layer describes a component of the real world.
As more layers are combined, the GIS becomes closer to a model
of the real world.
- A layer or theme of data is information about one topic.
For example, a hospital layer would only have information
that directly describes hospitals, not communities and highways.
Those topics would be covered in their own layers.
GIS allows the user to easily overlay the layers of data
displaying spatial relationships that we can see.
- For example, yes that highway does pass by that hospital.
GIS also provides methods of spatial analysis that rely
on computer hardware and software to concretely answer questions.
GIS analysis can answer questions like:
- How far is it from Burns Lake to the HIV/AIDS presentation
in Prince George?
- How many HIV testing sites are there in the Interior
Health Authority?
- What is the nearest HIV/AIDS service to Fort St. John?
- How many people have AIDS in that health region?
- Where should the next HIV/AIDS service be located?
- What HIV/AIDS services are within 200 kilometres of Osoyoos?
Components of GIS
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| GIS consists of five
main components |
A GIS is a complex system that includes people, data, methods,
software and hardware. Each of the five components is required
for the GIS to operate effectively.
- People operate the system and pose analysis questions
- Methods are the techniques used to manage the GIS, conduct
analysis, and interpret the results generated by the GIS
- Data is the spatial and attribute information collected
for analysis
- Software provides the functionality to manage, display,
manipulate, analyze, link, and query data
- Hardware includes the computer that stores and processes
data, and devices used to input and output data
For more information
Please see the following links for more information about
GIS:
The
Aboriginal Mapping Network (http://www.nativemaps.org)
GIS.com,
What is GIS? (http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html)
GIS
Lounge, About GIS (http://gislounge.com/library/introgis.shtml)
Pennsylvania
Spatial Data Access, PASDA's GIS Tutorials (http://www.pasda.psu.edu/tutorials/)
ESRI,
Glossary of GIS Terms (http://www.esri.com/library/glossary/glossary.html)
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