New to GIS

= What is GIS? = GIS is an "acronym for geographic information system. An integrated collection of computer software and data used to view and manage information about geographic places, analyze spatial relationships, and model spatial processes. A GIS provides a framework for gathering and organizing spatial data and related information so that it can be displayed and analyzed."


 * GIS
 * Geographic Approach
 * Spatial analysis

= What is the history of GIS? = The history of GIS is closely tied to the history of geography, cartography, and computer science.


 * Roger Tomlinson - "The Father of GIS"
 * Jack Dangermond
 * History of cartography
 * List of cartographers
 * Geography (Ptolemy)
 * Spherical Earth

= How does GIS work? = The following links describe some of the key concepts in the field of GIS.


 * Map projection
 * Datum (geodesy)
 * Map Layers
 * Simple Features
 * Point Feature Class
 * Line Feature Class
 * Polygon Feature Class
 * Annotation feature class
 * Geoprocessing

= How is GIS used? = The value of GIS is recognized across a broad range of industries and disciplines. The ability to collect, organize, analyze, and represent data helps organizations do everything from modeling animal migrations and mapping the spread of diseases to analyzing demographic information for commercial development and creating new political districts.


 * Environmental geography
 * Physical geography
 * Health geography
 * Cultural geography
 * Transportation geography
 * Economic geography
 * Emergency Management Information System
 * United States Geological Survey
 * GIS in archaeology
 * Great Britain Historical GIS
 * Redistricting
 * Financial GIS

= Who uses GIS? = Get involved in the GIS community; the love for geography is universal!
 * List of ArcGIS User Groups
 * Geographic Information Systems Certification Institute
 * British Cartographic Society
 * Open Geospatial Consortium
 * List of GIS-related Blogs

= How can I get started? =
 * Education
 * HistoAtlas