What Is GIS? Guide to Geographic Information Systems

Add data collection to a splash of resource management and the ability to display geographical data and you get a geographic information system (GIS). The market for these systems (and the skills required to run them) is growing. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% is expected between 2024 and 2030.

So, GIS is a growth industry. But, what exactly are geographic information systems?

So, What Is a Geographic Information System?

A GIS is a computer system that uses the spatial data generated by a location for analysis and the display of geographically referenced information. It sounds complicated but it really comes down to using GIS data to figure out what’s going on in a specific location. Take satellite imagery as an example. A military may use satellite images to track the movements of trucks and weapons, opening the path for a GIS analysis that leads the military to a location from which those trucks and weapons deploy.

That’s one of many examples. GIS tools are extremely varied, but most come down to the art of developing digital maps that allow for a better understanding of a geographical area to empower better decision-making.

How Does GIS Technology Work?

Capture, record, connect, and display. If you remember those four words, you’ll understand how GIS applications typically work. A researcher typically starts by capturing different types of data, such as coordinates, data about an object, and any temporal data, such as lifespans, attributed to that object.

That data is then recorded onto GIS maps to digitize and present a visual representation of the information derivable from the data. Through that recording process, you start to identify patterns and relationships that allow you to integrate the data you collect with the information the recording process delivers. Finally, there’s display – typically a digital map (sometimes adapting in real time as more data flows in) to represent findings.

Key Components of GIS

We could talk for days about the many components of GIS but there are two that are absolutely key – data and remote sensing.

The data side breaks down into raster and vector data. The former takes the form of a collection of cells and pixels, empowered by spatial analysis and information, to create complex high-resolution images. Satellite imagery is a good example, again. Raster data shows elevation, temperatures, land use, and the other key types of data needed to create complex images. You can think of vector data as a more simplistic form of data as it uses x and y coordinate displays to represent a geospatial element. Google Maps uses vector data – its grid-like display serves as a reference point for the many buildings, roads, and similar elements you’ll see on a Google Map.

As for the remote sensing component, this is all about collecting the data the above two methods represent. Balloons, drones, planes, and satellites can all be equipped with these sensors. The remotely sensed data they collect is delivered to GIS software in a way that makes sense. So, this component covers aspects of the capturing and recording processes we discussed earlier, with the raster and vector data handling the connections and display.

What Are the Uses of GIS?

We’ve touched on a couple already, such as the military using satellite images to track vehicle and weapon movements. That’s a very specific example. GIS is also used for mapping geographical features – the Google Maps example falls under this category – and urban planning. It’s also used to improve agricultural communities by tracking things like fertilizer run-off and the impact said run-off has on the ecosystem.

Those are just a handful of examples. If it involves a location and something that might impact that location, there’s likely a use for a closed or open-source GIS somewhere.

Benefits of Using Geographic Information Systems

GIS empowers effective planning and design, as we see in the urban planning and city analysis uses of the technology. It also allows you to visualize the data you collect about a location and the elements that impact that location through mapping.

GIS has digitalized the mapping process, transforming how we do cartography in the process. Enhanced detail and greater accuracy – made possible by being able to collect and analyze larger datasets – make GIS beneficial to many industries.

History and Future of GIS

GIS has been around a lot longer than you might think. Let’s chart a course from the GIS tools of old to what the future holds for this technology.

History

We need to travel back to the mid-19th century to see one of the earliest examples of GIS technology. British doctor John Snow used a primitive form of GIS technology to create a map of London highlighting where cholera outbreaks were taking place. That map allowed him to identify that the outbreaks tended to occur near waterlines, leading to the discovery that contaminated water was the root of London’s cholera problem.

Fast-forward around a century and you get the introduction of computer systems and the type of computational GIS with which were more familiar. Esri and its ArcGIS system paved the way during the 1960s, with most of what we see today building on that framework.

Future

Dynamism is the likely future of GIS. We can expect to see more real-time data integration, with spatial data being at the fore, to allow the combination of geometrical and location information.

Modern GIS systems are also increasingly utilizing 3D mapping systems. Add artificial intelligence into the mix and you’ll find that future GIS tools can parse through the data collected for them in record time.

Why Study Geographic Information Systems?

We touched on the main reason in the introduction – GIS is a growth sector that is used in an array of industries. Career opportunities abound in areas of study as wide-ranging as city planning, agriculture, and the military. You’ll develop transferable skills related to understanding and translating geospatial data. That ability will make you invaluable in any industry that requires an understanding of locational data.

Accelerate Your GIS Career with UC

So, your career prospects shoot sky-high when you understand GIS and how it applies in modern business. It’s developing that understanding that is your key challenge. The University of Cincinnati helps you overcome that challenge with its Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems.

Worth 30 total credits, our online program costs around $5,000 less than the national average for an equivalent degree. You’ll also be in full control over your education thanks to flexible scheduling.

Visit our GIS course page today – learn how you can forge a GIS career with UC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the definition of a geographic information system?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool used to collect, analyze, and visually represent spatial or geographic data. It helps users understand relationships, patterns, and trends in specific locations by transforming raw data into actionable insights.

What is an example of a geographic information system?

Google Maps is a great example of GIS in action. It combines vector data, like roads and buildings, with real-time data, such as traffic patterns, to provide users with detailed, interactive maps for navigation and planning.

Why is GIS so valuable?

GIS empowers better decision-making by providing detailed visualizations and analyses of spatial data. From urban planning to disaster response, it allows industries to optimize operations, predict outcomes, and tackle challenges tied to specific locations.