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Benefits of GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

GIS benefits businesses and governments by giving them the ability to ask complex questions about location-based data.

How is GIS used?

Identify problems

Illuminate issues that are driven by geography. In this story, maps and visualizations connect present-day environmental inequalities to redlining policies.

Monitor change

Visualize and communicate change. This story uses maps to show how humans impact our warming planet and shares what we can do to create a more sustainable future.

Manage and respond to events

GIS delivers real-time situational awareness. The maps in this story help us understand the spread of COVID-19 and the global impact of the pandemic.

How does GIS work?

GIS technology applies geographic science with tools for understanding and collaboration. It helps people reach a common goal: to gain actionable intelligence from all types of data.

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What is GIS?

GIS is an acronym for “Geographic Information System.” A GIS system uses computers and software to gather, manage and analyze data based on geography, and visualizes the data on a map. GIS mapping software uses spatial data to create maps and 3D models out of layers of visual information, revealing patterns and relationships in the GIS data. Many industries and government data analytics agencies use GIS to better communicate complex information and solve problems associated with geographic locations.

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How GIS Works

GIS systems generally consist of the following elements:

  • Maps — Shareable maps that contain geographic data layers.
  • Data — Spreadsheets, tables and imagery with a geographic component that ties data to a particular location.
  • Analysis — Spatial analysis enhances decision-making process by providing insights that give users more confidence when interpreting and predicting situations.
  • Apps — GIS is no longer tied to a desktop. Mobile apps allow GIS data to be used anywhere, at any time.

While each application is different, Geographic Information Systems are broadly similar in the way they work. All GIS tools analyze and visualize spatial data, which includes location information like address, latitude or longitude.

Geographic Information Systems generally perform these tasks in three steps:

  • Visualize data — Geographic data is displayed in GIS software.
  • Combine data — Layers of data are combined to form maps.
  • Query data — Geographic queries search for values in layered data.

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