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Jami Dennis
Michael N. DeMers
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Published:
May 5, 2025

GIS For Dummies

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Overview

A jargon-free primer on GIS concepts and the essential tech tools

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the fascinating technology field that's all about understanding and visualizing our world. GIS For Dummies introduces you to the essential skills you'll need if you want to become a geospatial data guru. You'll learn to read, analyze, and interpret maps, and you'll discover how GIS professionals create digital models of landscapes, cities, weather patterns, and beyond. Understand how advances in technology, including AI, are turning GIS tools into powerful assets for solving real-world problems and protecting the planet. This beginner-friendly book makes it easy to grasp necessary GIS concepts so you can apply GIS in your organization, pursue a career in this dynamic field, or just impress others with your geographic knowledge.

  • Learn the basics of data analysis, interpretation, and modeling using Geographic Information Systems
  • Gain the skills to read and interpret all types of maps and visual GIS information
  • Discover how GIS is used in fields like urban planning, environmental science, business, and disaster management
  • Explore whether a career in GIS could be right for you

GIS For Dummies is the perfect starting point for students, professionals, and anyone curious about the potential of GIS as a technology or career choice.

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About The Author

Jami Dennis is a certified GIS Professional with more than 30 years’ experience in GIS, socio-economic research, demographic studies, data analysis, and data visualization. She is the owner of Geodetic Analysis, LLC.

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gis for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

A geographic information system (GIS) is a fun and functional piece of equipment that offers maps, and so much more! You can analyze terrain and compare maps, keeping in mind the fact that the map you see is basically a model of the terrain.A grid-based GIS offers some algebraic functions to help you fine-tune a search, and every GIS provides a variety of outputs from maps to charts to 3D diagrams.
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A geographic information system (GIS) is a fun and functional piece of equipment that offers maps, and so much more! You can analyze terrain and compare maps, keeping in mind the fact that the map you see is basically a model of the terrain.A grid-based GIS offers some algebraic functions to help you fine-tune a search, and every GIS provides a variety of outputs from maps to charts to 3D diagrams.
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Your GIS (geographic information system) is very handy and a great navigation tool, but what you see on the GIS screen isn't necessarily what the actual terrain looks like. As you use your GIS, remember the following facts: Map Characteristic What It Means Maps are models — not miniatures Maps generalize geographic features by using symbols so that all features will fit the specified output size.
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If your GIS (geographic information system) is grid-based, you have access to some cool, algebra-based functions. The following table shows the functions, where they work, and what you can do with each: Function Type Where It Operates What It's Used For Local On individual grid cells To change cell values based on user definition or the value of corresponding grid cells on other layers.
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General Information Technology

Types of GIS Output
Types of GIS Output
You know that your GIS (geographic information system) provides maps — that's its basic function and probably the reason you bought it. But a GIS offers more than maps, and the following list includes other outputs: Maps: Everyone recognizes this most common output from a GIS. Cartograms: These special maps that distort geographic features based on their output values rather than their size.
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With GIS (geographic information system) you can do all sorts of geography-related stuff — find places, of course, but also find the best place to locate your business, among other things. The following list summarizes some of the tasks you can accomplish with GIS: Find geographic features. You can search a GIS database to find point, line, area, and surface features by their descriptions or measurements.
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