What is GIS? | Esri Official Distributor

What is GIS?

A spatial system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data

Geographic information system

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Is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making.

What does GIS do?

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While mapping is fundamental, GIS does much more.

How is GIS used?

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Monitor change Manage and respond to events Perform forecasting Set priorities Understand trends

Monitor change

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Visualize and communicate change. This story uses maps to show how humans impact our warming planet and shares what we can do to create a more sustainable future.

Explore the climate story

Manage and respond to events

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GIS delivers real-time situational awareness. The maps in this story help us understand the spread of COVID-19 and the global impact of the pandemic.

Explore the COVID-19 story

Perform forecasting

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The maps in this story reveal how coastal communities are impacted by sea level rise and explore data that can help us predict and prepare for flooding.
Explore the flooding story

Set priorities

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By analyzing soil health, farmers can determine when and where to plant certain crops, maximizing yield while minimizing environmental impact.

Discover how farmers use GIS

Understand trends

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Visualize data with GIS to gain insights that might be missed in a spreadsheet. This story uses maps to understand bird populations and migration routes.

See how GIS can map migration

Who uses GIS?

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Modern GIS is about participation, sharing, and collaboration. Discover how the technology is strengthening relationships, driving efficiencies, and opening communications channels in your community.