Basics of GIS, RS, and GPS

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in GIS, remote sensing, GPS, and map types.

GIS

Geographical Information System; a tool for mapping, analyzing, and storing geographical data.

QGIS

An open-source GIS software for spatial data analysis.

Remote Sensing (RS)

Obtaining information about objects without direct contact.

Active RS

A type of remote sensing that sends out signals, such as radar.

Passive RS

A type of remote sensing that captures natural radiation, like satellite images.

GPS

Global Positioning System; a satellite-based navigation system for precise location tracking.

Vector Data Model

Represents discrete features using points, lines, and polygons.

Raster Data Model

Represents continuous features as a grid of pixels.

Geodatabase

A database designed to store, query, and manage spatial data.

Metadata

Data that provides information about other data, including details like data source and accuracy.

Map Scale

The ratio of map distance to real-world distance.

Cadastral Map

A map that shows land ownership.

Topographical Map

A large-scale map that shows natural features of the terrain.

Chorographical Map

A small-scale map providing a general overview of regions.

Connectivity

A topological relationship that determines how features (e.g., roads, rivers) are linked.

Contiguity

Defines shared boundaries between polygons in topological relationships.

Containment

Identifies areas within other areas, such as lakes within parks.

Heads-up Digitizing

The process of tracing spatial data from an image.

Interpolation

Estimating unknown values between known points.