Introduction
Have you ever thought about how we understand the world around us? A Geographic Information System (GIS) helps us do just that! Let us understand how.
Want to know how cities plan infrastructure? GIS.
Wondering how environmentalists track climate change? GIS.
Need to find the most efficient route for your cross-country road trip? GIS.
GIS is used to link data to locations.
GIS is a powerful tool that helps us analyze and visualize data based on geography. But, if you’re still stuck thinking GIS technology is just about Google Maps, it’s time to expand that horizon.
Let us get started.
What is GIS (Geographic Information System)?
Understanding the basics –
Geography is the study of land, inhabitants, and features on the Earth.
Information will provide details of the features of Earth.
The system is the technology and method used to capture the objects on the earth’s surface.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computerized mechanism that allows us to capture, store, display query, analyze, and visualize data related to geographic locations.
How Does GIS Work?
A GIS takes all the information from a map and records it electronically. Capturing geographical mapping information in digital form begins with classifying all features.


Source – Ordnance Survey
Here, the different shapes and symbols illustrate features. All map features can be divided into one of four different categories –
Point (e.g., a cross symbol to represent a church).
Line (e.g., a yellow line to represent a road).
Polygon shape or area (e.g., a blue area representing a lake).
Text (e.,g. the name of a building).
The GIS stores information about:
Geometry: The shape and location of the objects.
Attributes: the descriptive information about the objects, normally displayed on a map through symbology and annotation.
For this information to be read by computers, it’s stored in digital form as raster and vector data.
Information source – Ordnance Survey
Core Components of GIS

1) Hardware
Hardware is the computer system on which the GIS operates. Today, GIS software works on a wide range of hardware types, from centralized computer servers to desktop computers used individually or in networked configurations.
2) Software
GIS software offers the functions and tools required to store, analyze, and display spatial data and geospatial data.
The main components are – Tools for inputting and manipulating geographic information. A database management system (DBMS). Tools that support geographic query, analysis, and visualization. A graphical user interface (GUI) for easy access to tools.
3) Data
Data is one of the most important components of a GIS. Geographic data and related tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased from a commercial data provider. A GIS will integrate spatial data with other data resources and can even use a DBMS, which most organizations use to organize and maintain their data and manage spatial data.
4) People
GIS technology will be limited if used without the people who manage the system and develop plans for applying it to real-world problems. GIS users range from technical specialists who design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them perform their everyday work.
5) Methods
A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules, which are the models and operating practices unique to each organization.
Information source – High Point, North Carolina (Official Government Website.)
What is GIS used for? And What are Its Applications?
Here are some of the real-world examples of use of GIS;
1) Mapping
Mapping is the central function of GIS. It is the visual representation of data that GIS stores in the database and makes it GIS mapping, today maps have become the basic requirement for several entities in the current situation.
2) Smart City
The smart city concept is in the news as the next big player around the world to work upon the efficiency and security of urban development.
Geospatial technology integrates all the important aspects of city planning and management. It offers a common operating platform to all the sectors of the region.
A comprehensive digital environment offered by GIS helps to improve urban systems in terms of pollution abatement, water and waste management, energy optimization, etc.
3) Surveying
Surveying is the method that measures the location of objects on the earth’s surface.
Many organizations today have started using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The data collected from GNSS is further incorporated into GIS software to estimate areas and create digital maps.
4) Public Health
Health and human services organizations use GIS software to map cases of diseases, allowing them to identify areas at high risk and even to discover the origin of some conditions.
Using information obtained from geospatial analysis, they can target awareness campaigns in the areas that need it the most.
5) Disaster Management
GIS can identify areas at the highest risk of natural or man-made disasters.
After identifying these areas, city governments can effectively utilize the data provided by GIS to create awareness and help prepare their residents for future disasters.
6) Urban Planning
As populations grow, so does urban planning. This gives the planners much less space and resources to develop the infrastructure.
At the same time, the planners need to be held accountable for the impact this makes on the region’s flora (plant) and fauna (animal).
Urban planners depend on GIS to a great extent to minimize the negative impact on existing historic structures or natural spaces while responsibly accommodating humans. The advanced GIS mapping capabilities will easily allow users to produce high-accuracy maps for urban information systems.
7) Healthcare Sector
Health and human services is a sector that is getting the best benefits in this digital era. GIS helps officials focus on patterns of spread within communities.
This reverse process will help them direct preventive measures and efficiently address problems as they occur. Also, GIS easily allows tracking and quarantining entire clusters in case of contagious epidemics (COVID-19) is the most suitable example.
It has helped the officials of the healthcare sector to analyze trends and identify high-risk points. GIS incorporates a geographic approach, like visualizing the information from the available datasets, for monitoring and maintaining health services.
8) Digital Taxation
GIS can be used to improve the efficiency of the taxation system and maximize government income. It can accurately store information about tax payables and revenue collection.
9) Land Records Management
GIS technology and GPS are utilized to manage land records and develop a land records system.
It helps preserve the records, lessening the number of boundary disputes. It also localizes land boundaries irrespective of the constantly changing conditions of the physical piece of land.
What are the Top 7 Benefits of GIS?
1) Improved Decisions with Geographic Insights
GIS offers powerful tools for visualizing and analyzing complex spatial data. By incorporating multiple data sources into a single map, decision-makers can easily recognize patterns and trends that might go unnoticed.
2) Improved Planning and Resource Management
Organizations will encourage GIS to optimize resource allocation and properly align the workflow.
3) Customer Connections through Location Intelligence
GIS is very important in understanding customers’ behavior using location-based data.
4) Understand the Market’s Potential with Spatial Analysis
With GIS, companies can easily analyze detailed markets by overlaying competitor locations with demographic data.
5) GIS in Disaster Response
GIS works best in times of emergency management, allowing agencies to plan evacuation routes and assess disaster impacts efficiently.
6) Collaboration through Geographic Data
GIS promotes better department communication by centralizing data on a single yet common platform.
7) Efficient Asset Management
GIS will help track and manage physical assets like infrastructure and utilities.
What are GIS maps?
A GIS map is a digital representation of geospatial data that consists of layers with information to offer insights into patterns, trends, and relationships within a specific area.

The types of GIS maps are,
The Category Map
The Quantity Map
Bubble Map
Heat Map
Cluster Map
GIS mapping will improve the ability of government agencies at every level, including businesses, researchers, universities, and others, to analyze, interpret, educate, plan, guide, and create forecasts reflecting information and events worldwide and in space.
What are popular GIS Softwares?
ArcGIS: One of the most adopted GIS platforms known for its advanced spatial analysis and mapping capabilities.
QGIS: A widely used open-source GIS software that offers easy and solid functionality similar to ArcGIS.
Google Earth Pro: A free tool offering high-resolution satellite imagery and basic GIS features.
GRASS GIS: An open-source alternative focused on geospatial analysis and image processing.
gvSIG: A free GIS software with desktop and mobile applications with 3D capabilities.
What is the difference between GIS and GPS?
GIS –
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a system for capturing, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data to understand spatial relationships and patterns. It incorporates different data sources to create maps and perform spatial analysis for decision-making.
GPS –
GPS, on the other hand, is a satellite-based navigation system with accurate location and time information. It will highlight the exact position of objects or individuals on Earth by receiving satellite signals.
The difference –
Differentiating both where GIS emphasizes data analysis and mapping, GPS is primarily used for navigation and location determination.
What is geospatial data?
Geospatial data has coordinate information (e.g., latitude and longitude), which allows features to be drawn on a map.
Geospatial data can be used to create maps and analyze data in GIS. There are two primary geospatial data models: vector and raster. The raster data represents continuous data (e.g., temperature, elevation), whereas vector data best represents geographic features with discrete boundaries (e.g., streets, land parcels, administrative boundaries, etc.)
Types of geospatial data formats
Geospatial data formats can be divided into two types: raster and vector.
Raster Formats
GeoTIFF: A TIFF format encompassed with geospatial metadata for georeferencing.
JPEG2000: A compressed raster format that supports both lossy and lossless compression.
MrSID: A wavelet-compressed format designed for large raster datasets.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM): This format represents elevation data.
ADRG: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)’s ARC Digitized Raster Graphics.
Binary file: An unformatted file consisting of raster data written in one of several data types, where multiple bands are stored in BSQ (band sequential), BIP (band interleaved by pixel), or BIL (band interleaved by line). Georeferencing and other metadata are stored in one or more sidecar files.
Digital raster graphic (DRG) : Digital scan of a paper USGS topographic map.
Vector Formats
Shapefile: A popular vector data GIS format developed by Esri.
Geography Markup Language (GML): XML-based open standard (by OpenGIS) for GIS data exchange.
GeoJSON: A lightweight format based on JSON, used by many open-source GIS packages.
GeoMedia: Intergraph’s Microsoft Access-based format for spatial vector storage.
Keyhole Markup Language (KML): XML-based open standard (by OpenGIS) for GIS data exchange.
MapInfo TAB format: MapInfo’s vector data format using TAB, DAT, ID, and MAP files.
Source – Wikipedia
Integration of GIS with Other Technologies (BIM, remote sensing, IoT, and AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI will help analyze geospatial data faster and find patterns, making GIS smarter.
Internet of Things (IoT): IoT devices collect real-time data (like traffic or weather) that GIS can use for better city planning and emergency responses.
Building Information Modeling (BIM): Combining GIS with BIM helps in designing buildings by considering their location and surroundings efficiently.
Remote Sensing: This technology uses satellites to gather data about the Earth, which GIS can analyze for things like environmental monitoring.
FAQ’s
What is GIS in simple terms?
GIS stands for Geographic Information System. GIS is a computerized tool that captures, stores and manages geographic data.
What is a GIS map?
GIS maps are windows into a database. A GIS map combines data with a map to visualize details about a location.
How is GIS different from GPS?
GPS offers the data about location, while GIS interprets and presents that data in a meaningful manner.
What is the role of GPS in GIS?
GPS in GIS will provide accurate location data that accurately highlights geographic features on a map.
What are the main components of GIS?
Hardware, software, data, people, and methods.
Can GIS handle real-time data?
Yes, GIS can handle real-time data.
What are the benefits of using GIS?
1) Improved visualization of spatial data
2) Improved decision-making through analysis of geographic patterns
3) Efficient resource management
4) Better planning for future development
5) Effective emergency response
What are some popular GIS software tools?
QGIS, ArcGIS, gvSIG, SAGA GIS, MapInfo Pro, Google Earth Pro, etc
Can GIS be integrated with other technologies?
Yes, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be effectively integrated with other technologies.
What is the future of GIS technology?
It will be heavily influenced by advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Conclusion
Understanding GIS helps us analyze and understand geographical data. It has a rich history and is now used to manage the environment and plan cities also it comes with the capability of changing how we see and work with our world!