Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ArcMap 9.0 Monday January 16th, 2006 Marcel Fortin GIS & Map Librarian University of Toronto

Agenda What is a GIS? What is a GIS? Examples of GIS Examples of GIS Issues and problems/obstacles to using GIS Issues and problems/obstacles to using GIS GIS Software and Data GIS Software and Data Hands-on Hands-on

Objectives Understand the basic premise of GIS Understand the basic premise of GIS Learn the basics of GIS software and databases Learn the basics of GIS software and databases Learn the basics of different geographic datasets Learn the basics of different geographic datasets Learn the basics of creating a map Learn the basics of creating a map

What is a GIS? A GIS is a computer application with the capacity to assemble, store, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically referenced information A GIS is a computer application with the capacity to assemble, store, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically referenced information

What is not a GIS? A GIS is not a digital map (a digital map is only one of the outputs of a GIS) A GIS is not a digital map (a digital map is only one of the outputs of a GIS) A GIS is not a graphic design tool A GIS is not a graphic design tool A GIS is not a replacement for maps A GIS is not a replacement for maps

What is geographically referenced Information / Geospatial data? In order to use a GIS, your data has to fit in the software in one way or another In order to use a GIS, your data has to fit in the software in one way or another Data is georeferenced if it has a geographic field. These are more numerous than you imagine Data is georeferenced if it has a geographic field. These are more numerous than you imagine postal codes postal codes Province Province City City longitude and latitude longitude and latitude lot numbers lot numbers concession numbers concession numbers census tract census tract wards wards etc. etc.

Common Examples of GIS :

Example of a GIS Aerial photograph (Triathlon Inc.)

Example of a GIS DMTI Spatial’s Street Network File for Ontario

Example of a GIS 1999 Orthorectified Aerial photograph overlayed with the DMTI Spatial’s Street Network file for Ontario

Example of a GIS Map of Population Density in Toronto, Census of Canada 2001, Statistics Canada

Example of a GIS 1870’s Map of Toronto with the Gardiner Expressway overlayed. Note the highway’s location!

Example of a GIS 1870’s map of Toronto showing current lots in the city of Toronto. Note the lots set on top of a lost stream (Garrison Creek)

Complex GIS examples Digital Elevation Model of Mountains in the Eastern Townships, Québec ncols 1370 nrows 996 xllcorner yllcorner cellsize 30 NODATA_value

GIS Software We will be using ESRI’s ArcMap. Industry leader but also the Microsoft of GIS We will be using ESRI’s ArcMap. Industry leader but also the Microsoft of GIS Many other brands of software running on many different platforms, including Mapinfo, Idrisi, PCI, Microsoft MapPoint, GRASS, and others Many other brands of software running on many different platforms, including Mapinfo, Idrisi, PCI, Microsoft MapPoint, GRASS, and others

Making Sense of “ArcWording” Functions Umbrella Flavour 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, etc. Extensions ArcGISArcInfoArcEditorArcView ArcMap|ArcToolbox|ArcScene|ArcCatalog

GIS Issues Data Access, availability, and price in Canada (Data Culture) Data Access, availability, and price in Canada (Data Culture) Data Quality Issues Data Quality Issues Metadata Issues Metadata Issues Software access and price Software access and price Computing Computing Training Training

GIS Data Access – Free Data

GIS Data Access at the University of Toronto Library

What will you be doing today? Loading data in ArcGIS Loading data in ArcGIS –one layer –several layers Working with varying Geographic Coordinate systems Working with varying Geographic Coordinate systems Creating and Exporting/Printing a Map Creating and Exporting/Printing a Map Learn to Make a Census Map Learn to Make a Census Map Manipulate and Create Datasets Manipulate and Create Datasets Creating your own georeferenced datasets Creating your own georeferenced datasets