What Is GIS?

“GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and

displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to
their locations.”
A set of tools for
• Collecting
• Storing
• Manipulating
• Retrieving
• Transforming and Display of Spatial
Data from the Real World.
GEOGRAPHIC
implies that locations of the data items are known, or can be calculated, in terms of
Geographic coordinates (Latitude, Longitude).
INFORMATION
implies that the data in a GIS are organized to yield useful knowledge, often as
colored maps and images, but also as statistical graphics, tables, and various on-
screen responses to interactive queries.
SYSTEM
implies that a GIS is made up from several inter-related and linked components with
different functions. Thus, GIS have functional capabilities for data capture, input,
manipulation, transformation, visualization, combinations, query, analysis, modelling
and output.
Why is GIS unique?
 GIS handles SPATIAL
information
– Information referenced
by its location in space
 GIS makes connections
between activities based on
spatial proximity
Principle
 Data Capture
Data sources are mainly obtained from Figure 1 SOURCE ”Fundamentals of Photointerpretation And
Photogrammetry” By Abeedullah Jan.
manual digitization and scanning of
aerial photographs, paper maps, and
existing digital data sets.

 Database Management and Update

Data security, data integrity, and data storage and retrieval, and data maintenance
abilities.
 Geographic Analysis
The collected information is analysed and interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively.
 Preparing Result
One of the most exciting aspects of GIS technology is the variety of different ways in
which the information can be presented Functions
Data Capture
The input of data into a GIS can be
achieved through many different
methods of gathering. For
example, aerial photography,
scanning, digitizing, GPS or global
positioning system is just a few of
the ways a
GIS user could obtain data.
Data Storage
Some data is stored such as a map
in a drawer, while others, such as
digital data, can be as a hardcopy,
stored on CD or on your hard drive.
Data Manipulation
The digital geographical data can
be edited, this allows for many attribute to be added, edited, or deleted to the
specification of the project.
Query And Analysis
GIS was used widely in decision making process for the new commission districts.
We use population data to help establish an equal representation of population to
area for each district.
Visualization
This represents the ability to display your data, your maps, and information.
Components
Hardware
Computer System, Scanner, Printer, Plotter, Flat Board
Software
GIS software in use are MapInfo, ARC/Info, AutoCAD Map, etc. The
software available can be said to be application specific.
Data
A GIS will integrate spatial data with other data resources and can even use a
DBMS, used by most organization to maintain their data, to manage
spatial data.
Geographic data and related tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased
from a commercial data provider.
People
GIS users range from technical specialists who design and maintain. Method
The map creation can either be automated raster to vector creator or it can be
manually victories using the scanned images.
SOFTWARES
 ARC INFO Processing
 ArcGIS
 MapInfo
 GRASS
 Geomedia
 Geoconcept
 WIN GIS
 Microstation
Advantages of GIS
GIS allows us to view, understand, and visualize data in many ways that reveal
relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.
 A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data
in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.
 GIS give the accurate Data.Better Predictions and Analysis.
Disadvantages of GIS
Excessive damage in case of internal fault. Long outage periods as Repair of
damaged part at site may be difficult.
 Expensive software.
 Integration with traditional map is difficult.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Aerial photography is the science of obtaining photographs from air using various
platforms ,mostly air crafts for studying the surface of earth.it is one of the most
common ,versatile and economical forms of remote sensing.
Remote sensing can be broadly defined as the collection or information about an
object or physical phenomenon with out being in physical contact with the object or
phenomenon.
Factors affecting areal photography
 Scale
 Flight direction
 Time of photography
 Season of photography
 Atmospheric conditions
 Stereoscopic coverage
Characteristics of aerial photography
 Synoptic view
 Time freezing ability
 Capability to stop action
 Three dimensional perspective
 Spatial and spectral resolution
 Availability
 Economy
Areal cameras
 Aerial photographs can be made with any type of camera.
 Many successful applications have employed aerial photography made from
light air craft with hand held 35mm cameras.
  For the aeril study of large areas,high geometric and radiometric accuracy are
required and these can only be obtained from by using cameras that are
purpose built.
 The first ever aerial cameras were mounted on peigions.

Cost of aerial photography

 In india the cost of aerial photography depends on the flying agency carrying
out the operations;scale area covered and whether the prints are supplied
from fresh or existing photography.
Eg ;in case of servey company the cost is rs 75.2 per mile
Application of aerial photography
 Mapping
 Interpretation
 Map substitute

REMOTE SENSING
 Remote sensing refers to obtaining information about objects or areas at the
earths surface wth out being in direct contact with the object or area.
 The remote sensing is basically a multi disciplinary science which includes
 A combination of various disciplines sucas
optics,spectroscopy,photography,Computer,electronics and
telecommunication,satellite launching.
 All these technologies are integrated to act as one complete system in itself
known as remote sensing system.

Types of remote sensing

 Active remote sensing system have their own source of energy (such as lidar
and radar)
  Passive remote sensing system depend upon external source of
illumination.(sun)

Advantages of remote sensing

 Relatively cheap and rapid method of acquiring up to date information over a
large geographical area.eg;land sat 5 covers each an area of 185x160 km at
a ground resolution of 30m every 18 days.
 It is the only practical way to obtain data from inaccessible regions
eg;antartica,Himalaya.
 At small scales regional phenomena which are invisible from the groung are
clearly visible .
 Cheap and rapid method of constructing ase maps in the absence of detailed
land surveys.
 Easy to manipulate with computer and combine with other geographic
coverage in the GIS.
Disadvantages
 They are not direct samples of the phenomenon,so must be calibrated against
reality. This calibration is never exact.
 They must be corrected geometrically and georeferenced in order to be useful
as maps not only as pictures.this can be easy or complicated.
 Distinct phenomena can be confused if they look the same to the
sensor,leading classification error.
 Resolution of satelitr imagery is too coarse for detailed mapping and for
distinguishing small contrating areas.

PHOTOGRAMMETRY
 Photos – light Gramma – to draw Metron – to measure
 “Photogrammetry is the technique of measuring objects from
photographs”

“The art, science and technology of obtaining reliable spatial

information about physical objects and the environment
through the processes of recording, measuring and interpreting
image data.”
Two distinct types of photogrammetry:

– Aerial / spaceborne photogrammetr

– Close range photogrammetry

Remember this: Photogrammetry is the metric interpretation of image data.
What is photogrammetry?
 Used for mapping Earth or planets Imaging system is based on an aircraft or
spacecraft
  Target is the ground surface

 Close range photogrammetry: 3D only

 Topographic photogrammetry: 2D and 3D, depending on
specific application.

WHY PHOTOGRAMMETRY
 Very Precise
 Time Effective
 Cost Effective
 Based On Well Established And
 Tested Algorithms.
 Less Manual Effort
 More Geographic Fidelity Very Precise
 Time Effective
 Cost Effective
 Based On Well Established And
 Tested Algorithms.
 Less Manual Effort
 More Geographic Fidelity
 Corrects All Sorts Of Distortions.
 provide a reasonable geometric modelling alternative when little is known
about the
 geometric nature of the image data.
 provide an integrated solution for multiple images or photographs
simultaneously
 Achieve a reasonable accuracy without a great number of GCPs.
o Photogrammetry → metric exploitation of imagery
o Remote sensing → thematic exploitation of imagery

REFERENCE
 ”Fundamentals of Photointerpretation And Photogrammetry” By Abeedullah Jan.
 “Aerial Photography” Abraham Thomas University of The Western Cape.
 “Aerial Photographs inGeologic Interpretationand Mapping” By Richard G. Ray
 https://www.in.gov/gis/gis101.htm