📘 Unit 1: Introduction to GIS

[Total: 8 Hours]

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🔹 1.1 GIS Introduction

✅ Definition:

GIS stands for Geographic Information System.
It is a computer-based tool that helps us collect, store, analyze, manage, and visualize geographic data.

✅ Purpose of GIS:

GIS helps in:

• Making maps

• Analyzing spatial data (data that has a location)

• Solving real-world problems related to location and geography

✅ Components of GIS:

1. Hardware – Computers, GPS devices

2. Software – Programs like QGIS, ArcGIS

3. Data – Maps, satellite images, location info

4. People – Users, analysts, and decision-makers

5. Methods – Techniques and models used to analyze data

✅ Example Use-Cases:

• Tracking weather conditions

• Managing traffic and roads

• Finding best locations for schools or hospitals

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🔹 1.2 Scope of GIS

GIS is used in many fields to solve problems and support decision-making.

Field	Uses of GIS
🌳 Environment	Monitoring forests, tracking pollution, managing water resources
🏙️ Urban Planning	Designing cities, zoning areas, locating public facilities
🚑 Public Health	Tracking disease outbreaks, analyzing health service coverage
🚨 Disaster Response	Mapping flood zones, planning rescue operations
🚗 Transport	Planning routes, managing traffic and public transport
🌾 Agriculture	Soil analysis, crop monitoring, yield prediction
🛣️ Infrastructure	Road construction, utility mapping (electricity, water pipes)

🔍 Summary:

The scope of GIS is broad, and it is becoming essential in both public and private sectors.

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🔹 1.3 Think Spatially

✅ What is Spatial Thinking?

To “think spatially” means to think about how things are located, what is near what, and how places relate to each other.

✅ Why is Spatial Thinking Important?

It helps to:

• Understand maps and geographic patterns

• Make decisions based on location

• Analyze relationships between places

✅ Example:

A government wants to build a new hospital.
Using GIS and spatial thinking, they analyze:

• Where most people live

• Distance from existing hospitals

• Road access and land availability

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🧪 Practical Work

🖥️ 1. Installing QGIS

• QGIS is free and open-source GIS software

• Download from: https://qgis.org

• Install it on your system by following the installer instructions

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🏁 2. Running QGIS for the First Time

• After installation, open QGIS

• It loads the main window (interface) where maps and tools are displayed

• You are now ready to create, edit, and analyze maps

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🧰 3. Introducing the QGIS User Interface

Component	Function
Menu Bar	Contains options like File, Edit, View
Toolbars	Buttons for common tools (Zoom, Add Layer, Save, etc.)
Layers Panel	Lists all map layers you are working on
Map Canvas	The main area where the map is shown
Status Bar	Shows coordinates, scale, and rendering progress

You can customize the interface based on your needs.

💬 4. Finding Help and Reporting Issues

• Use the Help Menu in QGIS for tutorials and manuals

• Access official QGIS documentation: https://docs.qgis.org

• Community help forums: https://gis.stackexchange.com

• To report bugs or issues:
  Visit https://github.com/qgis/QGIS/issues