A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. It integrates geographical features with tabular data to map and analyze things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there) . GIS technology applies geographic science with tools for understanding and collaboration, helping people reach a common goal: to gain actionable intelligence from all types of data.
GIS is used in many fields, including scientific investigations, resource management, development planning, and public health. It can help individuals and organizations better understand spatial patterns and relationships by relating seemingly unrelated data. GIS technology is a crucial part of spatial data infrastructure, which is defined as “the technology, policies, standards, human resources, and related activities necessary to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data” .
GIS software is run on computers, and memory and computing power are important because spatial data includes many attributes making it very large. The most commonly used GIS software includes ArcGIS and QGIS.
