Geospatial analysis is the process of collecting, storing, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data. It has been around for centuries, but how it’s done has changed dramatically over time.
The beginning of GIS
The earliest known use of geospatial analysis was by the ancient Egyptians, who used maps to survey land and build pyramids. The Greeks and Romans also used maps, and the Chinese developed a system of coordinate mapping in the 11th century.
The first official GIS tech product
The Canadian government created the first computer-based GIS in the 1960s to better manage land resources, such as geological resources and forestry. This revolutionary product is the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS).
GIS goes commercial
Esri developed the first commercial GIS product in 1970. The ArcGIS system was used by businesses and government agencies and eventually evolved into a desktop mapping system called ArcView. Here are some examples of different market segments where GIS has been applied:
- Businesses: Businesses use GIS to manage data, analyze trends, and make decisions. For example, a retailer might use GIS to track sales data and identify areas with high demand for their products. Or, a manufacturer might use GIS to identify the best locations for their factories.
- Government agencies: Government agencies use GIS to manage data, analyze trends, and make decisions. For example, a city might use GIS to track crime data and identify areas with a high crime rate. Or, a state might use GIS to identify the best locations for new schools.
- Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations use GIS to manage data, analyze trends, and make decisions. For example, an environmental organization might use GIS to track deforestation data and identify areas with a high deforestation risk. Or, a humanitarian organization might use GIS to identify the best locations for refugee camps.
These are just a few examples of the many different market segments where GIS is critical. There will be even more innovative applications of GIS in the future as technology advances and evolves.
GIS today: A convergence of mapping and geospatial analysis
A variety of organizations use GIS technology—from businesses to government agencies to non-profit organizations. In the early days of GIS, mapping was the primary focus. GIS software was used to create maps of geographic data, such as land use, demographics, and transportation.
However, it became clear that GIS could be used for more than just mapping. Geospatial analysis can provide extra insights from geographic data, such as identifying patterns and trends.
The first GIS software to incorporate geospatial analysis was ArcView, which was released by Esri in 1989. ArcView allowed users to perform basic geospatial analysis, such as spatial overlays and spatial statistics. Over time, geospatial analysis capabilities have become increasingly sophisticated, and GIS software now includes a wide range of geospatial analysis tools.
Geospatial modeling is another way geospatial analysis has been integrated into GIS software. Geospatial modeling is the process of using GIS software to create mathematical models of geographic phenomena.
Geospatial models can simulate the effects of natural disasters, plan for urban growth, and develop sustainable land use policies. They also can be used in geospatial health analysis to identify disease clusters, model human exposures, and to track the evolution of spatial patterns through time.
The convergence of mapping and geospatial analysis has made GIS software a powerful tool for understanding and managing geographic data and can be used to create maps, perform geospatial analysis, and create geospatial models. These capabilities make GIS software an essential tool for anyone who works with geographic data.
The future of GIS and the usability challenge
GIS is constantly evolving, and new technologies are constantly being developed. Some of the latest developments include:
- The use of drones to collect data
- The use of artificial intelligence to analyze data
- The development of virtual reality applications
- The use of advanced geostatistical modeling capabilities
- Rapid spatial analysis and knowledge extraction
While these innovations make GIS even more powerful and versatile, they also are making the software more complicated to use. As a result, the usability challenge, where users seek to find those GIS functions they need for a specific problem, is increasingly difficult.
How can one identify those parts of the GIS toolbox needed to solve a problem? BioMedware products, such as Vesta, have “unbundled” the GIS toolbox and provide users with rapid solutions to their specific problems. At the forefront of these solutions are rapid visualization and pattern recognition through statistical and cartographic brushing, handling of missing data, a critical ability absent from other GIS, time animation, and advanced geostatical techniques for health analysis.
The future of GIS is promising
Geospatial analysis has come a long way in a short period—it’s now used by a wide range of organizations, and it is constantly evolving. The future of GIS is bright, and it’s sure to continue to play an important role in our lives. Try Vesta, cost-free, here.