| A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a | | | | can utilize GIS to analyze census information such |
| system used to gather data and incorporate it in | | | | as health and education statistics. This is helpful |
| order to store, scrutinize, distribute, and show | | | | for creating or modifying public policies and |
| geographic information. GIS data displays actual | | | | government spending. It can also provide health |
| world features such as elevations, terrain, and | | | | research assistance such as analyzing heart |
| transportation networks, in a digital format. | | | | disease research data. As well, it can help with the |
| Images that are displayed come from the area | | | | creation of jobs in the appropriate regions which |
| where the information was retrieved. Users can | | | | can give a boost to the economy. |
| take the information for such purposes as | | | | Not only is GIS technology used for climate |
| analyzing the digitally displayed data, mapping the | | | | change research, it can be used for security and |
| data, and editing the data. A GIS will include | | | | law enforcement logistics, urban planning and |
| application software for aerial photography, | | | | development such as selecting where to develop |
| surveying land, extensive geographical mapping, | | | | communities and roads that will have the least |
| remote sensing, and much more. It is often used | | | | environmental impact, business marketing and |
| to study global problems in an effort to find | | | | evaluating a potential business market, |
| solutions much more quickly. | | | | cartography, management of natural resources, |
| Recently, Geographic Information Systems have | | | | natural resource mapping, archaeology research |
| been developed to be used by the public. For | | | | analysis, and tracking and analyzing natural |
| instance, Bing Maps and Google Maps are GIS | | | | disasters with the intent of improving emergency |
| applications now used by millions of people around | | | | response time. As well, GIS technology can be |
| the world. Through interactive web mapping, the | | | | used as an educational tool for technology schools |
| public now has access to large volumes of | | | | and universities for such studies as geography, |
| geographical information. Another important use of | | | | science, and mathematics. Even high school |
| GIS is its use when studying climate change. It is | | | | students can make use of GIS in their curriculum. |
| now used in the tracking and analyzing of data | | | | Mapping where places and objects are located will |
| regarding the impact of climate change. For | | | | help people find places that have the attributes |
| example, GIS is used to study the ice melting in | | | | they are searching for, and if there are problems, |
| the Arctic. | | | | they can then identify what needs to be done |
| Earthquake mapping is another way one can use | | | | and put together an efficient and effective |
| GIS. One can map tectonic shifts in high risk | | | | problem solving strategy. As well, they are able to |
| earthquake areas for public safety planning and | | | | see important patterns emerging. The objective |
| business development such as determining | | | | of GIS is to identify new trends from the |
| insurance rates. In regards to business marketing | | | | analyzed research. Studying data using the |
| techniques, a business can use GIS to analyze | | | | Geographic Information System will help one learn |
| demographic data to find regions where they will | | | | and understand information much quicker and |
| likely sell their products or services. Governments | | | | easier. |