A Primer of GIS Fundamental Geographic and Cartographic Concepts

by Harvey, Francis

• ISBN13: 9781462522170
• ISBN10: 1462522173
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-10-29
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

This accessible text prepares students to understand and work with geographic information systems (GIS), offering a detailed introduction to essential theories, concepts, and skills. The book is organized in four modular parts that can be used in any sequence in entry-level and more specialized courses. Basic cartographic principles are integrated with up-to-date discussions of GIS technologies and applications. Coverage includes everything from what geographic information is to its many uses and societal implications. Practical examples and exercises invite readers to explore the choices involved in producing reliable maps and other forms of geographic information. Illustrations include 170 figures (with 15 in color). The companion website provides links to Web resources for each chapter, plus downloadable PowerPoint slides of most of the figures.

New to This Edition
*Chapter on online mapping and Big Data.
*New and updated discussions of remote sensing, vector and raster data models, location privacy, uses of geocoding, and other timely topics.
*Chapter on the many uses of GIS, such as in market analyses, emergency responding, and tracking of epidemics.
*Section overviews and an end-of-book glossary.

Pedagogical Features
*Modules and individual chapters can be used sequentially or in any order.
*End-of-chapter review questions with answers, exercises, and extended exercises for applying theories and concepts.
*"In-Depth" sidebars offering a closer look at key concepts and applications.
*End-of-chapter links to relevant Web resources.

Author Biography

Francis Harvey, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society at the University of Minnesota. His research addresses a range of central issues in geographic information science, including visualization, ethics, values, institutional aspects, cadastral issues, pedagogy, and overlay algorithms. His teaching covers the use of evolving geographic information technologies for undergraduates and graduate students in the United States and internationally. Currently, he is Chair of the International Geographical Union Commission on Geographic Information Science.

Table of Contents

I. Your World and Geographic Information Technology
1. Goals of Cartography and GI: Representation and Communication
2. Choices in How We Make Representations
3. GI and Cartography Issues
4. The Many Uses of GIS with Case Examples
5. Projections
II. The Functions and Methods of GIS
6. Locational and Coordinate Systems
7. Databases, Cartography, and Geographic Information
8. Surveying, GPS, Digitization
9. Remote Sensing
10. Locations and Fields: Discrete and Nondiscrete Geographic Information
III. Techniques and Practices
11. Cartographic Representation
12. Map Cultures, Misuses, and GI
13. Administration of Spaces
14. Online Mapping and Geocoded Worlds
IV. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Analysis: Understanding the World
15. GI Analysis and GIS
16. Geospatial Statistics