Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology used to produce, manage, analyze, and visualize data related to positions on the Earth's surface.
GIS combines cartography, statistical data analysis, and database technology to process spatial data and solve complex problems.
GIS is often associated with computer software that performs these functions, but it is fundamentally a tool that integrates various types of data.
Location is used as the key index variable in GIS to collect, store, analyze, and display geographical information.
Users can create interactive queries, analyze spatial information, edit data and maps, and present the results using GIS.
GIS technology can be utilized in a wide range of fields including scientific investigations, resource management, asset management, environmental impact assessments, urban planning, cartography, criminology, and social impact.
A powerful application of GIS is in disaster response and management, where it can analyze the extent of damage, identify areas in need, and plan efficient routes for rescue and relief operations.
GIS can overlay maps of affected areas with data on population density, infrastructure, and vulnerabilities to prioritize relief efforts and optimize aid delivery routes.
The next lesson will explore additional areas where GIS can be applied in social impact work.