A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system which handles
geographic information. A GIS is a set of computer and cartographic tools
to input, manage, and manipulate geographic and descriptive data.
Geography acts as the framework for mapping features and events, and
for studying their patterns and processes. A geographic data base
is a collection of spatial data, e.g. parcels, and related descriptive
data, e.g. land use, that are shared and used by a variety of users for
a variety of purposes.
The solution to many problems often requires access to several types
of information that can only be linked by geography. With a GIS you can
map traffic accidents, look for patterns in water pipe breaks, model sewer
system flows, and analyze demographic data.
WHY is GIS important?
Think about the major issues facing Honolulu and all of Hawaii - crime,
housing, traffic, economic development, water resources, and environmental
protection - each of these has a critical geographic dimension.
A GIS stores information about the earth's physical features as a collection
of thematic layers that can be linked together by geography. This simple
but extremely powerful and versatile concept has proven to be invaluable
for solving many problems.
Only GIS technology allows you to store and manipulate information using
geography; and to analyze patterns, relationships, and trends in that information
to help you make better decisions.
MORE about GIS!
If you're interested in how GIS works, it's components, related technologies,
GIS web sites, or lots of other information about this technology click
here
to connect to the Environmental System Research
Institute, Inc. (ESRI) home page where you can learn more about GIS.
