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Geographic Information System

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Introduction
“Geographic Information System” is a term that is widely used, mostly in fields that relate to Geography in a certain aspect. This paper will explain the concept of GIS, while providing an example of the application of GIS in an environment. The history of GISs will be briefly discussed. The role of data in GISs will also be explained in relation to spatial and non-spatial data.
The Concept of GIS
What is GIS?
GIS or “Geographic Information System” is a broad term used to describe systems that combine mapping, tabular data and analysis capabilities. According to Esri, as quoted by Elliot (2014:8), a GIS is a system that integrates software, hardware and usable data in order to capture, analyse, manage and visually display all …show more content…

Over the years with the evolution of computer technology; computing power and the availability of computers vastly increased, while the price fell to an all-time low. The newer generations of computers have unearthed the hidden potential in GISs, resulting in a wider and more frequent use for the systems.
The application of GIS
According to Mennecke & West (2001:45), the need for GISs have increased over the years as the role of centralized planning, management and decision making increased in importance for developing nations. This is mostly due to the problems of overpopulation, financial instability and the depletion of natural resources (Mennecke & West, 2001:45). GIS is incredibly important for government decision making as it can be used to visually interpret many characteristics of a country’s sectors such as: Mining, Forestry, Agriculture, Fishing, as well as urban planning. GISs are also frequently used to map out natural resources in order to document changes, assist preservation, and increase industry …show more content…

Vector data contains specific coordinates and is used to represent features in the real world, such as trees, buildings, boundaries, rivers and roads. Vector data is displayed visually as lines, points and polygons. Figure 1 shows a good example of vector data mapped on an area. The precise coordinates were gathered and pinpointed on the map of Nigeria in order to visually represent the locations, sizes and shapes of the features.
Raster data consist of satellite imagery or aerial photography. According to Elliot (2014:8), raster data are images that serve as a basemap for GIS projects and represent geographic features through pixels; each referred to by its row and column position. With raster data, most geomorphological landscapes can be seen such as: mountains, rivers, lakes and canyons.
Non-Spatial

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