Untitled Flashcards Set

What are GIS, GPS, and Remote Sensing?

GIS is a computer tool for maps and data, GPS finds locations using satellites, and Remote Sensing uses cameras and sensors to take pictures of the Earth.

Who uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

Meteorologists, scientists studying natural environments, and city planners.

What is VGI (Volunteered Geographic Information)?

It's location data shared by people, such as reporting a pothole in an app.

What is Google Earth used for?

To see anywhere in the world using satellite images.

What is the difference between Geolocation and Geotags?

Geolocation is finding a place on a map, while Geotags are location info attached to photos or posts.

What is Cartography?

The art of making maps.

What are the characteristics of a good map?

A good map is easy to read, has a title, legend, scale, and uses appropriate colors.

What is the difference between Small Scale and Large Scale Maps?

Small Scale shows a big area, while Large Scale shows a small area with more details.

What does RF (Representative Fraction) refer to in mapping?

It expresses the ratio of map distance to real distance.

What are Reference Maps and Thematic Maps?

Reference Maps show real places (like road maps), while Thematic Maps show specific data (like demographics).

What is a Choropleth Map?

A map that uses colors to display data, such as rainfall.

What is Earth's real shape called?

Geoid.

What is Latitude and Longitude used for?

Latitude measures left and right from the Equator while Longitude measures up and down from the poles.

What is a Geodetic Datum?

An exact starting point for measuring locations on Earth.

What are the three types of Map Projections?

Cylindrical, Conic, and Azimuthal.

What is the difference between Vector and Raster Data?

Vector uses dots, lines, and shapes, while Raster uses pixels.

What are Attribute Tables in GIS?

Tables that describe features on a map.

What are common File Extensions for Vector and Raster files?

Vector files: .shp, .kml; Raster files: .tiff, .jpeg.

What does Metadata provide about a map?

Information about the data, such as creation date and author.

What is Spatial Analysis in GIS?

It involves finding patterns in spatial data.

What are Basic and Compound Queries?

Basic Query asks one thing, while Compound Query asks two things.

What are Boolean Operators?

Operators like AND, OR, NOT used to refine data searches.

What is Buffer in Geoprocessing?

It creates a safety zone around a feature.

What does the Union operation do in GIS?

Combines two layers of data into one.

What is the purpose of the Intersection operation in GIS?

Shows only the areas where two layers overlap.