What does the acronym GIS stand for and what is GIS?
GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. GIS software brings together the graphic interface of a map with the powerful functionality of a database. GIS operates on geographic data as it exists on the surface of the earth. Since the earth’s surface is spherical, GIS employs map projections to take the spherical data and reposition it on a flat plane and display it on a flat surface such as a computer monitor. Attached to each point, line or polygon (the three standard types of GIS data) is a database record containing information pertinent to that geographic data such as an address, a length, or an area. GIS technology integrates database operations such as querying and statistical analysis with geographic (spatial) analyses which can then be viewed using 2D or 3D visualization. These capabilities make GIS a valuable tool to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies.
