Geography of Canada Geography & Technology.

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Geography & Technology

Geography & Technology

1. Geographic Information Systems

2. Global Positioning System

Geographic Information Systems

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology that manages, analyzes, and disseminates geographic knowledge. Essentially, GIS is maps on computers. Each characteristic of the Earth’s surface is mapped on a layer which can be viewed independently, or in combination with other layers.


• There are three ways of viewing a GIS: a database, map, and model.– The Database View: A GIS is a unique kind of

database of the world—a geographic database (geodatabase). It is an "Information System for Geography." Fundamentally, a GIS is based on a structured database that describes the world in geographic terms.

• GIS can analyze data in many ways:



– The Map View: A GIS is a set of intelligent maps and other views that show features and feature relationships on the earth's surface. Maps of the underlying geographic information can be constructed and used as "windows into the database" to support queries, analysis, and editing of the information. This is called geovisualization.


– The Model View: A GIS is a set of information transformation tools that derive new geographic datasets from existing datasets. These geoprocessing functions take information from existing datasets, apply analytic functions, and write results into new derived datasets.

Attribute Information:What is it?

Species: OakHeight: 15mAge: 75 Yrs

Location Information: Where is it?

51°N, 112°W

Source: ESRI Canada, WhatsGIS.ppt

GIS – Locations and Attributes

• GIS software links the location data and the attribute data:

Source: ESRI Canada, What’s GIS.ppt

GIS – Locations and Attributes

• GIS software can answer questions about our world:

What provinces border Saskatchewan?

Spatial Questions:

What provinces have more than 1.5 million people?

Attribute Questions:


GIS – Asking Questions

GIS – Why Use It?

Support for decision-making based on spatial data:• Visual representation of data• Maintenance, manipulation of data• Analyze information and the affected area(s)

geographically• Produce customized cartographic products

GIS – Real World Uses

• Management

• Agriculture

• Public Utilities

• Health Care

• Emergency 911

• Real Estate

• Marketing

• What are the effects of Global Warming?

Land cover and temperature relationships are made clear when the data are seen at once using Geotechnology.


• Is it safe to dig here?

A proposed excavation, identified by address, is compared to pipelines in the area using Geotechnology.



• What is the fastest route to the Hospital?

Geotechnology can choose the fastest route to a hospital. The GIS can take into account traffic and other impediments.



• What Communities are at risk from Disease?

Geotechnology identifies communities at risk of River Blindness and helps determine the impact of treatment. Source: ESRI Canada, What’s GIS.ppt


Global Positioning System

• The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a "constellation" of 24 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location.

• The location accuracy is anywhere from 100 to 10 metres for most equipment.

• Accuracy can be pinpointed to within one metre with special military-approved equipment.


• GPS equipment is widely used in science and has now become sufficiently low-cost so that almost anyone can own a GPS receiver.

• The GPS is owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense but is available for general use around the world.

Geography of Canada Geography & Technology.

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