GIS英语

Geographic Information System(GIS) is a computer based information system used to digitally represent and analyze the geographic features present on the earth surface and the events(non-spatial attributes linked to the geography under study) that taking place on it.

地理信息系统是基于计算机的信息系统，以数字方式表示并分析地球表面的地理要素与事件（与所研究的地理现象相关的非空间信息）

GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. These abilities distinguish GIS from other information systems and make it valuable to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies.(ESRI) GIS技术将常用数据库操作如查询、统计分析及地图所呈现的可视化和地理分析特点有机结合起来。这些功能使得GIS有别于其他的信息系统，并对公共及私有企业分析事件、预测结果、规划战略很有价值。（ESRI）

Factors Aiding the rise of GIS 促进GIS产生的因素

. Revolution in Information Technology技术革命

. Computer Technology 计算机技术

. Remote Sensing 遥感

. Global Position System 全球定位系统

. Communication Technology 通讯技术

. Rapidly declining cost of Computer Hardware, and at the same time, exponential growth of operation speed of computers.计算机硬件成本锐减、计算机操作速度指数级增长

. Enhanced functionality of software and their user-friendliness.软件功能增强、界面友好

. Visualizing impact if GIS corroborating the Chinese proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” GIS分析结果的可视化

Visual Analysis 可视化分析

Digital Terrain Modeling (DTM) is an important utility of GIS. Using DTM/3D modeling, landscape can be better visualized, leading to a better understanding of certain relations in the landscape. Many relevant calculations, such as (potential) lakes and water volumes, soil erosion volume (Example: landslides).quantities of earth to be moved (channels, dams, roads, embankments, land leveling) and hydrological modeling becomes easier.

Not only in the previously mentioned fields but also in the social sciences GIS can prove extremely useful. Besides the process of formulating scenarios for an Environmental impact Assessment, GIS can be a valuable tool for sociologists to analyze administrative data such as population distribution, market localization and other related features.

数字地形模型是GIS的一个重要应用。使用DTM/3D模型，可以更好地可视化景观，可以更好地理解景观的某些特征，相关的计算将会比较容易，如（潜在的）湖泊水量、土壤侵蚀量、土石方以及水文模型等。

除了在上述所涉及的领域以外，在社会科学领域内，GIS应用也非常广泛。除了环境影响评价中规划情景外，社会学家也应用GIS分析行政数据，如人口分布、市场定位以及其它的相关问题。

Geographical Data Types 地理数据类型

Data can be described as different observations, which are collected and stored.数据被描述为不同的实体，并可以搜集与存储。

Information is that data, which is useful in answering queries or solving a problem.信息是能够用来回答疑问与解决问题的数据。