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| − | {{Definition|title=Geographical Information system (GIS)
| + | #Redirect[[Geographical Information System (GIS)]] |
| − | |definition=Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for analysis and presentation of spatial data. It is a collection of computer hardware, software and geographic data for capturing, managing, analysing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.
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| − | ==What is GIS?==
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| − | [[Image:GISdefinition.jpg|thumb]] | |
| − | A Geographic Information System organizes large volumes of raw data into a map form for easy comprehension. It divides raw data into layers so it can give you a better understanding for the whole world.
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| − | A GIS is designed for the collection, storage, and analysis of objects and phenomena where geographic location is an important characteristic or critical to the analysis - this definition is broad and applies to a wide variety of methods for storing, accessing, and manipulating geographic information; it does not limit GIS to the computer environment<ref name="Cox">Cox, A., Gifford, F. An overview to geographic information systems. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Volume 23, Issue 6, November 1997, Pages 449-461</ref> .
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| − | GIS handles SPATIAL information - i.e. information referenced by its location in space.
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| − | [[Image:Spatialinfo.jpg|400px|center]]
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| − | GIS technology can be utilised in many areas, including:
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| − | *scientific research/investigations
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| − | *resource and asset management
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| − | *[[Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)]]
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| − | *urban planning
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| − | *cartography
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| − | *and many other areas.
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| − | ==GIS Data==
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| − | GIS stores ''geographic coordinate data'' (spatial data) and ''attribute data''. ''Spatial data'' represents features having known locations on earth. Can be one of points (0-Dimensions), lines (1-Dimensions) or areas (2-Dimensions), while ''attribute data'' is non-graphic information linked to the geographical features (spatial data) describing features eg type of road, name, history.
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| − | ===Data formats===
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| − | Discrete and continuous data can be represented, and two basic formats are used for storing and processing coordinate data: Vector and Raster.
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| − | '''Vector:'''
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| − | Vector data type uses point locations (X,Y coordinate), or polygons, as representation. An advantage this has is that less storage space is used and can be easier to combine different vector layers, while a disadvantage is that it may be more difficult to perform certain overlay functions.
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| − | '''Raster:'''
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| − | Data is stored as a matrix of pixels, representing points. To analyse or overlay multiple data layers, the layers must share a common projection and coordinate system, and layers must have topology established. An advantage is that neighbourhood analysis can be performed easily, and a disadvantage is that it is necessary to store the entire matrix.
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| − | ===Data types===
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| − | [[Image:Mike21data.jpg|thumb|right|Dfs1 Data MIKE 21]]
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| − | Some types of data used in GIS are listed below:
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| − | *DFS2 Data [http://www.dhigroup.com/Software/Marine/MIKE21.aspx MIKE 21]
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| − | *Dfs1 Data MIKE 21
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| − | *XYZ Data
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| − | *Wave time series & Rose
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| − | *Scanned Maps
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| − | *CAD drawing [[Image:CADdrawing.jpg|thumb|right|CAD drawing]]
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| − | Additional data include:
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| − | *Land use
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| − | *Sediment classification
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| − | *Satellite images
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| − | *Geographical maps
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| − | *Reports (design, licenses, Site investigation), etc.
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| − | Map data is separated and stored in layers usually based on common geographical themes or data type. And alternative is objected-oriented GIS, where geographical and all other information regarding a feature stored as an object.
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| − | ==GIS functions==
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| − | *Data input
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| − | *Storage
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| − | *Management
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| − | *Analysis
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| − | *Output
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| − | ===Data input===
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| − | Data input can by via:
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| − | *keyboard entry
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| − | *digitising maps
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| − | *digital scanning (like a photocopy)
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| − | ===Storing data using Geodatabase===
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| − | [[Image:Geodatabase.jpg|400px|right]]
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| − | Geodatabase is a container for spatial and non- spatial data that can be organized in a certain structure. It has the advantages of providing a single, consolidated data storage for field measurements and all types of data used, and the ability of controlling data entry by applying validation rule on the attributes.
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| − | <br style="clear:both;"/>
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| − | ===Data management===
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| − | Database management system controls the way data are stored and retrieved. This includes verifying geographic coordinates and examining for accuracy.
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| − | ===GIS analysis===
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| − | GIS analysis creates new data by manipulating existing data or analyzing relationships between sets of data. It's basic operations include:
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| − | *retrieval
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| − | *map generalization
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| − | *map abstractions
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| − | *map sheet manipulation
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| − | *map abstractions
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| − | *map sheet manipulation
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| − | *buffer generation
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| − | *polgygon overlay and dissolve
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| − | *measurements
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| − | *digital terrain analysis, and
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| − | *network analysis<ref name="Cox"/>
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| − | ===Output===
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| − | The display of output is achieved through printers and computer screens.
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| − | ==Benefits of GIS==
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| − | GIS has many benefits, which include:
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| − | *ability to integrate different databases into one environment
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| − | *ability to display and manage spatial data in a spatial contect
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| − | *rapid production of specialized map and graphic products
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| − | *performs complex spatial analysis
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| − | ==Coastal Zone Management and GIS==
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| − | [[Image:GISCZM3.jpg|350px|left|Coastal Zone management: GIS perspective]]
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| − | GIS stores all data relevant for [[Coastal Zone Management]]. It handles data on all spatial scales (North Egypt coast vs. a single harbour) and is a powerful analysis tool, allowing the comparison of measurements from different years, as well as overlay analysis of measurements and modelling results. | |
| − | <br style="clear:both;"/>
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| − | :<small>Fig: Coastal Zone Management: GIS perspective</small>
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | :[http://www.gisig.it/ GISIG] –- - Geographical Information Systems International Group
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| − | :[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/giswww.html GIS WWWW resource list] of servers likely to be of interest to the GIS community
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| − | :[http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=knowledgebase.gisDictionary.gateway GIS dictionary]
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| − | :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system Wikipedia: GIS]
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| − | ==References==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ''8th January, Ulrik Lumborg, DHI.''
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| − | (Caitlin 09:53, 18 January 2007 (Romance Standard Time))
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