1. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ArcMap 9.0
Thursday October 13th, 2005
Marcel Fortin
GIS & Map Librarian
University of Toronto

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

3. Objectives Understand the basic premise of GIS
Learn the basics of GIS software and databases
Learn the basics of different geographic datasets

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

5. 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 graphic design tool
A GIS is not a replacement for maps

6. GIS - An Analogy
GIS is to geographic display what a word processor is to writing
In that same sense, whereas using word processing software does not make you a professional writer then using GIS software does not make you a cartographer

7. What is geographic data?
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
postal codes
Province
City
longitude and latitude
lot numbers
concession numbers
census tract
wards
etc.

8. Common Examples of GIS :

9. Common Examples of GIS :

10. Example of a GIS
1999 Aerial photograph (Triathlon Inc.)

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

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

13. Example of a GIS
Map of French Language Population in Toronto, Census of Canada 2001

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

15. 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)

16. Complex GIS examples
Digital Elevation Model / 3d View data of mountains in the Eastern Townships, Québec
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17. Complex GIS examples
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Digital Elevation Model of Mountains in the Eastern Townships, Québec

18. GIS Software
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

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

20. GIS Data Access – Free Data

21. GIS Data Access at the University of Toronto Library

22. What will you be doing today?
Downloading Data from the Map Library Web Pages
Loading data in ArcGIS
one layer
several layers
Working with varying Geographic Coordinate systems
Exporting a Map