Lecture 12: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

What is GIS?

How do we use GIS?

Learning aids for GIS

Arizona Geology Demonstration

• Tour of ArcGIS and the difference between the components (ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcCatalogue, etc.)
• Tour of ArcMap and its main components
• Tour of data types in the example of Arizona GIS--Make sure you know the difference between RASTER and VECTOR data!!
• RASTER=Matrix of identically sized square cells (called pixels) arranged in a grid of rows and columns. Each contains a measured or estimated value for that location.
• Vector=Feature represented by a point, a line, or a polygon.
• A GIS map contains layers
• A layer may contain features or surfaces (Rasters)
• Features have shape and size
• Features have locations
• Features can be displayed at different sizes
• Features are linked to information: getting attributes from the different data types.
• Features have spatial relationships (inside, outside, etc.).

Links

Opening and Using ArcGIS Software