GTECH 361

Lecture 02

Introduction to ArcGIS

Today’s Objectives

explore a map and get information about map features

preview geographic data and metadata add data to a map describe the structure of a map explain how a GIS represents real-world objects change the way features are drawn on a map access feature information in different ways describe spatial relationships of map features describe how GIS can be used to solve problems

GIS Map Organization

Representation

Point, line, and polygon features

Geo-Relational Principle 1

Geo-Relational Principle 2

Scale

The ArcGIS Suite

System Architecture

ArcMap

Map Production

ArcCatalog

ArcCatalog Views

ArcToolbox

Metadata

Metadata in ArcGIS

Help

GIS DataFormats

Maneuvering ArcGIS

Connecting to Folders

Table of Contents

Exploring a Map

MakingAppearances

MakingAppearanc

es

part 2

Localized Information

Spatial Relationships 1

Distance

Which countries contain a lake completely within their borders?Which cities are located within 25 kilometers of a river?

Spatial Relationships 2

Intersection

Which countries have a river that intersects their border?

Spatial Relationships 3 Adjacency

Which countries share a border with Russia?

Spatial Relationships 4

Containment

Which countries contain a lake completely within their borders?

GIS as a Process 1

1. Capture data

2. Store data

3. Query data

4. Analyze data

5. Display data

6. Present data

1. Ask a geographic question2. Acquire geographic data3. Explore geographic data4. Analyze geographic information5. Act on geographic knowledge

GIS as a Process 2

Summary A GIS organizes and stores information about the

world as a collection of thematic layers. Each layer contains features with the same shape and attributes, all located within a common geographic area.

Each feature is assigned a unique numerical identifier and is characterized by a unique location in space and a corresponding record in a table.

Features can be stored in a GIS as three primary shapes: points, lines, or polygons.

Features have spatial relationships with other features, and with a GIS you can find features based on their spatial relationships.

The geographic inquiry process provides a framework for solving problems with GIS.