GIS Review
What is a GIS?
What is special about GIS?
Applications of GIS
Types of Maps
The form of your data dictates the form (type) of
the map.
General Reference Maps
Graduated Symbol Maps
(Proportional Symbol
Maps)
Chloropleth Maps
Isopleth Maps
Area Qualitative Maps
Dot Density Maps
Symbolization
Visual resources cartographers can use to symbolize
information on a map.
3 Types of Symbols: Options for Symbolization:
Point
Line
Polygon
Classifying Features
Groups attributes into classes to help discern patterns.
Make choices about not only how many different classes that the data
should be categorized into, but what the value ranges of those classes
should be. A slight adjustment of the "breaks" in the value ranges of
ordered data, for example, might alter the map significantly and
reveal trends that were not detected previously (or are not in fact
there).
You can define your own classes OR Use one of the standard methods:
• Natural Breaks
• Equal Interval
• Quantile
Map Elements
GIS Data Models
Common Spatial Data Models
• Vector
• Raster
• TIN
Vector vs. Raster?
Geographic Coordinate Systems
While latitude and
longitude can locate
exact positions on the
surface of the earth,
they are not uniform
units of measure.
Only along the equator
does the distance
represented by one
degree of longitude
approximate the
distance represented
by one degree of
latitude.
Projected Coordinate Systems
What are they for?
• Where are you right now?
• How far are you from some other location?
• Coordinate systems provide a quantitative framework for
identifying your location on the earth.
To overcome measurement
difficulties, data is often
transformed from three-
dimensional geographic
coordinates to two-dimensional
projected coordinates.
ArcGIS and Coordinate Systems
On-the-fly Projections
Permanent Layer Projections
Assigning projections and re-
projecting data:
• ArcToolbox Æ Data Management
Tools Æ Projections and
Transformations
How to view projection information of a
layer:
• ArcCatalog Æ Metadata Æ “Spatial” tab.
• ArcMap Æ Layer Properties Æ “Source” tab.
View projection information of a data
frame:
• View Æ Data Frame Properties
Geographic Transformation = Datum Shift
Understanding Scale
Scale is the relationship between the size of features on a map and the
size of the corresponding objects in the real world.
Scale is commonly represented as a ration or representative fraction.
Ex. 1:10,000
This means 1 unit on a map is equal to 10,000 units on the earth’s
surface.
Large-Scale Map: Generally Small-Scale Map: Generally
covers a small area in more detail. covers a large area in less detail.
Geodatabases and Data
Organization
Geodatabase Types: Geodatabases can consist of:
• Personal • Feature Datasets
• File • Feature Classes
• SDE • Annotation Feature Classes
• Raster Datasets
• Nonspatial Tables
Spatial Analysis
*Buffer Operations
Buffer: A buffer is a region that is less than or equal to a
specified distance from one or more features.
Spatial Analysis
*Buffer Operations
Buffer: A buffer is a region that is less than or equal to a
specified distance from one or more features.
Vector Buffer Raster Buffer
Spatial Analysis
*Spatial Selection
Select By Location Options in ArcMap:
To Access:
Click Selection and click
Select By Location.
Perparing Data for Analysis
Overlay: Combines spatial and attribute data from two or
more spatial data layers. i.e. Union, Intersect, Clip, etc…
ArcToolbox Path:
Analysis Toolbox Æ
Extract & Overlay
Toolsets
ArcGIS Desktop
ArcGIS Desktop is software that allows you to discover
patterns, relationships, and trends in your data that are not
readily apparent in databases, spreadsheets, or statistical
packages.
ArcInfo includes all the
ArcEditor includes all the
functionality of ArcEditor,
functionality of ArcView
ArcView, and ArcReader and
and adds a comprehensive
adds advanced spatial
set of tools to create, edit,
analysis, extensive data
and ensure the quality of
manipulation, and high-end
your data.
cartography tools.
ArcView is a full-featured geographic
information system (GIS) software
for visualizing, managing, creating,
and analyzing geographic data.
Templates
Create your own
template OR
Use existing map
templates
• Select template when
opening ArcMap OR
• Go to “Change
Layout” button and
select template.
.mxt extension
Adding Textural Info
3 Primary Methods:
Dynamic Labels
Annotation
Map Text (Graphics)
Attribute Tables
A specific type or category of information associated
with a geographic feature is called an attribute.
Attributes are stored in the ‘attribute table’ associated
with the layer.
Each attribute is a
column or field.
Each feature is
a record (row).
The Model Builder
A model is a collection of geoprocessing operations that
automatically execute in sequence when the model is
run to produce a final output dataset.
