What is GIS?
What is a Geographic Information System?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) refers to a system used to create, store, edit, manage, and present geo-spatial information and allow the analysis of this geo-spatial data in real world decision making. This analysis can refer to interactive queries (user defined searches), spatial analysis, editing data, and creating maps for the display of information.
A GIS is made up of many different layers of information. These layers can be roads, parcels, utilities such as storm drains, catchbasins, and manholes, or even aerial photography. The way these layers relate to each other and their associated attribute data is the core of what makes GIS such a useful tool. Analysis can be done on the relationships between the layers and how their characteristics are similar and different. Furthermore, the layers can be linked to external databases to increase even further the questions that can be answered with GIS.
GIS is currently used for a variety of purposes in the City of Grand Haven, ranging from map creation to studies of urban deer incidents to the storing and maintenance of storm, sewer, and water data by the Department of Public Works. For some examples, visit our maps page.
ESRI ArcGIS software
