1.4. GIS Terminologies

    It is common that three terms are used in connection with a Geographic Information System as synonymous. But in actual sense they are not. These terms are.

◦         Geographic Information Science

◦         Geographic Information Technology and

◦         Geographic Information System

Geographical Information System (GIS)

United States Geological Survey, defines GIS as a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information. According to ESRI, A geographic information system is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. With the help of GIS we can Create geographic data, Manage it in a database, Analyze and find patterns, Visualize it on a map.

Geographic Information Science (GI Science)

It is a scientific discipline that studies the techniques to capture, represent, process, and analyze geographic information. In other words, While Geographic Information Systems answers the “what” and “where”, Geographic Information Science is concerned with the “how”. GI Science conceptualizes how to store spatial information, collect data, and analyze it.

Geographic Information Technology (GIT)

GIT is a Specialized set of information technologies that support acquisition, management, analysis, and visualization of geo-referenced data, including the Global Navigation Satellite System, remote sensing systems, GIS and image analysis software tools. Geographic Information Technology (GIT) answers the question “with what”. It is a Term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies.

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