Geographic Information System
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based system designed to capture, store,
manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data.
GIS is a set of tools that allow for the processing of spatial data into information. This set of tools
include data input, data storage, data manipulation, and a reporting system.
GIS lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns,
and trends. GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry.
GIS: transforms data with a spatial component. A spatial components here refer to location- based
data, with coordinates (Latitude and longitude), on, below or above earth’s surface.
GIS technology has been called by different names like Geospatial Information Systems,
Computer Aided Mapping, Automated Cartography, Land Information Systems, Environmental
Information Systems, etc
Definition of GIS
Different authors have defined geographical Information System differently.
A system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management,
manipulation, analysis, modeling, and display of spatially referenced data for solving complex
planning & management problems (Rhind, 1989).
A computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically
referenced information (USGS, 1997).
A set of computer-based systems for managing geographic data and using those data to solve
spatial problems (Lo & Yeung, 2002).
A computer system that allows the analysis and display of data with a spatial component (Phillips,
2002).
Aronoff (1990) defines GIS as "a computer-based system that provides four sets of capabilities to
handle georeferenced data:
i) data input
ii) data management (data storage and retrieval)
iii) manipulation and analysis
iv) data output.”
In general, it can be defined as a “computer-based system that support capture, management,
manipulation, analysis, modelling, and display of spatially referenced data that provides planning,
management, development and humanitarian solutions”.
History of Geographic Information Systems
One of the first applications of spatial analysis in epidemiology was in 1832. The French
geographer Charles Picquet represented the 48 districts of the city of Paris by halftone colour
gradient according to the percentage of deaths by cholera per 1,000 inhabitants.
In 1854, John Snow depicted a cholera outbreak in London using points to represent the locations
of some individual cases, an early successful use of a geographic methodology in epidemiology.
While the basic elements of topography and theme existed previously in cartography, the John
Snow map was unique, using cartographic methods not only to depict but also to analyze clusters
of geographically dependent phenomena.
E. W. Gilbert's version (1958) of John Snow's 1855 map of the Soho cholera outbreak showing
the clusters of cholera cases in the London epidemic of 1854.
The year 1960 saw the development of the world's first true operational GIS in Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada by the federal Department of Forestry and Rural Development. Developed by Dr. Roger
Tomlinson, it was called the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS) and was used to
store, analyze, and manipulate data collected for the Canada Land Inventory.
Roger Tomlinson, who wrote "A Geographic Information System for Regional Planning" in 1968,
was the first to use the term "geographic information system." He is also acknowledged as the
"father of GIS."
Components of GIS
Several components are involved in GIS technology.
Hardware
A computer and the associated accessories are essential for handling spatial data in GIS. These
devices are collectively known as hardware like scanners, CPUs, Digitizers, Workstations and
plotters etc.
Software
Software refers to the programs that run on computers; these include programs to manage the
computer and to perform specific functions. For example, DBMS, Corel draw, ILWIS, Arc/view,
Mapinfow, ERDAS Imagine, IDRISI and Arc/info are specialized software programs designed to
perform certain tasks.
Database
A central theme to GIS is the database. A GIS database deals with spatial data. GIS facilitate
integration of spatial and attribute data and this makes GIS unique in contrast to other database
systems. The beauty of GIS technology lies in the ability to assimilate divergent sources of data
and analyze them.
Human Input (live ware)
People who work with GIS form the most important component. GIS constitute truly a
interdisciplinary field and require varied backgrounds of expertise, depending upon the
applications. In addition, for technical management, a Hardware Specialist, System Administrator,
and Database Manager are required for corporating the GIS set-up.
Policy and Procedures
A methodology is must to derive the results users need. This includes spatial analysis for the
particular application. Largely, this depends upon the institutional framework and its interest in
exploiting GIS technology for decision-making.
