Spatial information technology and GIS

Explain why GIS goes beyond computer cartography.

A database management system (DBMS) and computer cartography can store data and draw maps, but on their own they cannot help us make decisions.

Decisions need answers to spatial questions: what is where? why is it there? who benefits? To answer them, data about location must be integrated with other data.

Spatial information technology brings together several tools: remote sensing (satellite images), GPS (global positioning), GIS, digital cartography and DBMS.

A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data that are spatially referenced (linked to locations on the earth).

GIS draws on many subjects: computer science, statistics, cartography, remote sensing, geography and more. It shows where things are, and helps explain why.

Where things are, and why.

Practise this lesson

Questions that get harder as you improve, a Tutor that helps without giving the answer away, and progress you can see. Free for every learner.

Try it now Sign up free I have an account

No account, no email address. Opens the real product.