"A geographic information system (GIS) consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data."
Covers topics such as spatial analysis, mapping, remote sensing, data management, and geospatial software.
The basics of GIS: Understanding the fundamentals of GIS, including what it is, how it works, and why it is useful in the context of environmental geography.
Data sources for GIS: Identifying the different types of data sources that can be used in GIS, such as satellite imagery, digital elevation models, and census data.
Spatial data analysis: Learning about the techniques and methods used to analyze spatial data in GIS, including spatial querying, spatial statistics, and spatial modeling.
GIS software and tools: Familiarizing yourself with the different GIS software and tools available and what they can be used for.
Map design and cartography: Understanding the principles of map design and cartography and how to create effective maps using GIS.
Remote sensing: Learning about remote sensing techniques and technologies and how they can be used in GIS to gather and analyze environmental data.
Geodesy and coordinate systems: Understanding the principles of geodesy and coordinate systems and how they are used to represent spatial data in GIS.
Spatial databases: Learning about spatial databases, their structure, and how they can be used to store and manage spatial data in GIS.
Spatial analysis and modeling: Understanding the principles of spatial analysis and modeling and how they can be used to make predictions and solve problems in environmental geography.
Data visualization: Learning about techniques and tools for visualizing spatial data in GIS, including graphical and interactive displays.
Web GIS: Understanding how GIS can be used on the web and the principles of web GIS applications and services.
Spatial decision-making: Understanding how GIS can be used to support spatial decision-making in environmental geography and what types of decisions can be made using GIS.
Remote Sensing GIS: This type of GIS is used to analyze data collected from satellite imagery or airborne sensors to create maps and other spatially-based products.
Web GIS: A GIS that involves creating, hosting and sharing GIS data, maps, and applications online using the web.
Enterprise GIS: A GIS that integrates with a business system, which allows users to share data and collaborate on GIS projects.
Mobile GIS: GIS applications that are installed on mobile devices like tablets and smartphones to collect and share data.
3D GIS: A GIS application that creates 3D models to view spatial data and perform analysis on the data.
Desktop GIS: GIS applications that run on a desktop computer that provide the full range of GIS capabilities.
Historical GIS: A GIS that specializes in geospatial data from past eras to analyze and understand different historical events.
Cartographic GIS: This type of GIS focuses on map design and cartography principles, which includes the creation of thematic maps and visualizations.
Geo-visualization GIS: A specialized type of GIS that focuses on creating visual representations of spatial data for analysis and exploration.
Geospatial Data Analytics GIS: This type of GIS is used to analyze large volumes of geospatial data to gain insights and make better decisions by identifying patterns, trends, and relationships.
"[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.