What is GIS Data? Examples, Datasets and Providers

Types of GIS Data

GIS data comes in three main types:

• Vector Data: Represents geographic features using points, lines, and polygons; ideal for discrete data like boundaries and landmarks.
• Raster Data: Uses a grid of cells to represent geographic features, best for continuous data like elevation and land cover.
• Polygon Data: A type of vector data specifically for representing area features like lakes and political boundaries.

How is GIS Data Collected?

GIS data collection methods include:

• Surveys: Field surveys using GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment are essential for capturing precise location data. Surveyors collect data points that are used to create detailed maps and models of specific areas.

• Remote Sensing: This involves collecting satellites data and aerial photography. Satellites can capture images and other data across large areas, providing information on land use, weather patterns, and more.

• Sensors: Ground-based sensors are used to collect various types of environmental data. For example, weather stations measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed, while water sensors can monitor the quality of water bodies.

• Crowdsourcing: Leveraging the power of the public, crowdsourcing gathers data through apps and online platforms. Users can contribute information about specific locations, such as mapping trails, or identifying species in a particular area.

How Does GIS Work?

GIS captures, stores, analyzes, and displays spatial data. The process typically involves:

1. Data Collection: Gathering spatial data from various sources.
2. Data Storage: Organizing the data in databases.
3. Data Analysis: Using tools and algorithms to analyze spatial relationships.
4. Data Visualization: Displaying results on maps and charts for easy interpretation.

Who Uses GIS Data?

GIS is used by a wide range of professionals across various industries, including:

• Urban Planners: For designing and managing urban infrastructure.
• Environmental Scientists: For studying ecosystems and managing natural resources.
• Emergency Responders: For planning and executing disaster response strategies.
• Location Intelligence: For site selection, market analysis, and logistics planning.

These users rely on accurate GIS data to support their decision-making processes. For instance, a city planning department might use GIS data to find the best routes for emergency services. By overlaying, satellite imagery data, population density data with transportation network data, they can determine where new roads are needed.

Why is GIS Data Important?

Data is crucial in GIS because it provides the foundational information needed for geographic analysis. GIS data enables:

• Decision Making: Informed decisions based on spatial relationships and patterns.
• Planning: Efficient urban planning, resource management, and disaster response.
• Analysis: Detailed environmental, demographic, and economic analysis.

GIS Data Analysis

GIS data analysis involves processing spatial data to uncover patterns and relationships. Common techniques include:

• Overlay Analysis: Combining multiple layers of data to find intersections.
• Buffering: Creating zones around features to analyze proximity.
• Spatial Statistics: Using statistical methods to analyze spatial data.

What is the Difference Between GPS and GIS?

GPS and GIS serve different purposes:

• GPS (Global Positioning System): Provides location and time information anywhere on Earth using satellites.
• GIS (Geographic Information System): Captures, stores, analyzes, and displays spatial and geographic data.

GPS offers raw data for GIS to create detailed maps and perform spatial analysis.

How Often is GIS Data Updated?

GIS data is typically refreshed on a monthly basis, although some providers offer on-demand updates depending on the data’s use case. This regular update cycle ensures that you’re always working with the most up-to-date information. If you require more frequent updates for time-sensitive projects, we recommend opting for providers that offer real-time or near real-time data.

What Geographic Areas Does GIS Data Cover?

GIS data provides extensive global coverage, including detailed data from North America, Europe, Asia, and many other regions. For businesses that require highly specific location data, we suggest verifying the region and granularity of the data before purchasing.

How is GIS Data Delivered?

GIS data is available through a variety of delivery methods, such as cloud storage (e.g., S3 Bucket), UI Export, or through APIs like REST. It is commonly provided in formats like CSV, JSON, or shapefiles, ensuring flexibility and easy integration with your systems. If you prefer a specific format or delivery method, we recommend discussing these options with your provider to ensure compatibility with your tools.

How Much Does GIS Data Cost?

The price of GIS data can fluctuate depending on the resolution, geographic scope, and how frequently the data is updated. Providers may offer one-off purchases for specific datasets or subscription models for ongoing access. You can also explore usage-based pricing if your project requires sporadic data retrieval. We recommend starting with a data sample to evaluate its fit before committing to a larger investment.

What are Similar Data Types to GIS Data?

GIS data is closely related to several other geospatial categories, including location data, map data, satellite data, and point of interest (POI) data. These data categories are interconnected and commonly used in location intelligence and geospatial analytics.