"A geographic information system (GIS) consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data."
The various sources of data used to create maps, such as satellite imagery, survey data, and census data.
Map Scale: A measure of the size relationship between a real-world object and its depiction on a map.
Projection: The process of transforming the three-dimensional Earth into a two-dimensional map.
Coordinate Systems: A system of measuring and describing the location of objects on the Earth's surface.
Data Sources: The places from which cartographers obtain the data necessary to produce maps. These can include surveys, GPS data, and satellite imagery, etc.
Thematic Mapping: The process of mapping specific data sets such as changes in population density, land use patterns or climate change.
AutoCAD: A specialized software package used to create digital maps.
Geographic Information System (GIS): A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data.
Map Projections: Techniques used to depict the curved surface of a globe/sphere onto a flat surface. Common examples include Mercator, Robinson, and Goode's Homolosine.
Geographic Coordinates: Latitude and longitude are used to describe the precise location of a point.
Remote Sensing: The process of obtaining information about an object or area from a distance, typically from an aircraft or satellite.
Aerial Photography: This uses cameras mounted on aircraft or drones to take photographs of the Earth's surface.
Satellites Imagery: This is similar to aerial photography, but uses images taken by satellites orbiting the Earth.
Maps: Maps are a collection of symbols, signs, labels, and other cartographic elements that represent the features of a particular place.
GPS Data: GPS (Global Positioning System) data is a type of mapping data that uses the coordinates of latitude and longitude to determine the location of objects on Earth's surface.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS is a digital database that stores, organizes, and analyzes geographic data.
Remote Sensing Data: This involves gathering data about the Earth from a distance, often using sensors and other types of equipment.
Survey Data: This is data collected by individual surveys that may include physical measurements, interviews, or observations.
Governmental Data: Various governmental agencies such as the US Geological Survey or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provide cartographic data on a variety of topics.
Open Data: Data that is available for public access usually through open and free-access portals.
Crowd Sourced Data: This data is provided by users who participate in mapping initiatives or by tagging specific places or places of interest, such as restaurants, parks, or museums.
"[A GIS] consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data."
"Much of this often happens within a spatial database, however, this is not essential to meet the definition of a GIS."
"One may consider such a system also to include human users and support staff, procedures and workflows, the body of knowledge of relevant concepts and methods, and institutional organizations."
"The uncounted plural, geographic information systems, also abbreviated GIS, is the most common term for the industry and profession concerned with these systems."
"The academic discipline that studies these systems and their underlying geographic principles, may also be abbreviated as GIS, but the unambiguous GIScience is more common."
"They are attached to various operations and numerous applications, that relate to: engineering, planning, management, transport/logistics, insurance, telecommunications, and business."
"GIS and location intelligence applications are at the foundation of location-enabled services, which rely on geographic analysis and visualization."
"GIS provides the capability to relate previously unrelated information, through the use of location as the 'key index variable'."
"Locations and extents that are found in the Earth's spacetime are able to be recorded through the date and time of occurrence, along with x, y, and z coordinates."
"[x, y, and z coordinates representing] longitude (x), latitude (y), and elevation (z)."
"All Earth-based, spatial-temporal, location and extent references should be relatable to one another, and ultimately, to a 'real' physical location or extent."
"This key characteristic of GIS has begun to open new avenues of scientific inquiry and studies." Note: Since not all 20 questions can be answered directly by quotes from the paragraph, I have provided answers for the available quotes.