What is Geographic Information Systems?

What is GIS? What is the Definition of GIS? How Much Data is Geographic? Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based tool that analyzes, stores, manipulates and visualize geographic information on a map It had been estimated that 80% of the informational needs of local government policy makers are related to geographic location. 20% 80% GIS helps us understand what belongs where. 80% of data is geographic based. Where is GIS Being Used? NW NE SW GIS is being used in agriculture, conservation, natural resources, public safety, transportation, urban planning and more. How is GIS Being Used? Who Works in the Field of GIS? GIS is being integrated into real world applications in a wide range of fields. GIS is more than just making maps. A map is often what the end user sees. GIS mapping is being used in everyday life and we might not even realize: GPS navigation, weather maps & ambulance dispatch. Cartographers, database managers, programmers, remote sesning analysts, spatial analysts and surveyors make up the field of GIS. References: Williams, Robert (1987), Selling a geographical information system to government policy makers. Papers from the 1987 Annual Conference of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association GIS Geography - http://gisgeography.com