The Geographic Information System Program Research Paper

The Geographic Information System Program - Research Paper Example In essence, information about specific places on the earth’s surface influences economic, social, and political activities with society opting for hospitable regions. This is facilitated by the availability of geographical information that distinguishes regions by physical principles, which necessary for effective planning and development in modern society. Such information is derived from maps and satellite images, which then analyzed and presented in accordance with the desired parameters such as terrain, population, among other analytes. Over the years, specialized computer systems have employed to process geographical information such as digitization of raw data, storage, automated analysis of the data, and predict outcomes of various scenarios. Such sophisticated computations are made possible by geographical information systems (GIS), which illustrate the computer-based capacity to manipulate geographical data. These systems include not include basic computer hardware an d software, but also special input and output devices to create map products. GIS also includes a communication system that allows linking of various stations for comprehensive data collection. The system functions to acquire, verify, compile, store, manage, analyze, and present geographical data on demand in various formats as per the study requirements. In light of this, the information presented is vital for researchers to map, study, and understand trends and patterns affecting the society. As such, GIS plays a critical role in planning and management of various aspects that could otherwise impact the society negatively. The application of the geographical information system is preceded by the art of making maps where GIS sought to modernize the trade. Past civilizations are credited for their role in shaping descriptive illustration of their surroundings, which fuelled advancements in the area. Cartography dates back to ancient civilizations where scholars and explorers passion ately expressed their view of the world, as they perceived it, similar concepts were adopted with technological advances to generate digitized models of desired regions of the earth. This can be attributed to the quest towards improved geo-referenced information at the height of photozincography, which enabled layering in maps. This involved cumbersome tasks of drawing different versions of a single map to demonstrate layers such as vegetation, terrain, and infrastructure. The upsurge of computer hardware development in the 1960s saw mainframe computers support the earliest of geographical information systems. The first operational GIS was developed by Dr. Roger Tomlinson with aim of studying rural Canada, which allowed researchers evaluate the land’s capability to host agriculture, wildlife, as well as support the society.1 Technological advances produced minicomputers during the 1970s to support GIS applications, which operated in a timesharing mode to ensure functionality. 2 Moreover, the invention of personal computers revolutionized the geographical information software, as it was readily available for these machines. This marked the beginning of a promising GIS hardware market that would see the invention of increasingly powerful computers with increased capability to be networked together.