What is a Geographic Information

System?Geographic Information System =

GIS

What is a GIS?

Maps

What is a map?“A graphic depiction of all or part of a

geographic realm in which the real-world features have been replaced by symbols in their correct spatial location at a reduced scale.”

power line

From Map to GIS

ProgressionMap

Web maps/ Web GIS

GIS (local software)

ComparisonPaper Map

Web Map/ Web GIS

GIS Software

Display Data Display at multiple scales Query map features Display tabular or graphic data associated with map features

Complex, on the fly queries

Map Web Map GIS

• A map is static, a GIS is dynamic

• A map has a single scale, a GIS is infinately scaleable

• A map shows spatial relationships, while a GIS shows both spatial relationships and tabular data