Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Introduction
Have you ever mailed a letter, flown in an airplane, or turned on a faucet?
Did you know that GIS is used to plan mail and flight routes, locate leaky pipes, and perform
other analyses needed to make decisions and complete everyday tasks? Would you like to know
more about what a GIS is?
This course will provide foundational knowledge of a GIS and show how it can be used to acquire
geographic knowledge. You will explore GIS maps and use tools to gather information from GIS
maps that can be used to make decisions at work or in your daily life.
Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Software Requirements
Data
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Define GIS.
Differentiate between vector and raster data.
Navigate a GIS map.
Use tools to access feature information.
Create a location query and an attribute query.
Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Software Requirements
Data
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Define GIS.
1
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Differentiate between vector and raster data.
Navigate a GIS map.
Use tools to access feature information.
Create a location query and an attribute query.
To complete course exercises, you need the following software:
ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop (Basic, Standard, or Advanced)
ArcGIS Online
Esri offers 60-day ArcGIS for Desktop evaluation software
. Evaluation software is provided as
a complimentary service and is not supported by Esri Training Services or Esri Technical Support.
Click the button below to download the course data. To install the data, run the installation file
and follow the on-screen instructions.
Download Course Data [GettingStartedGIS10_1.exe | File size: 51.2 MB]
attribute query
Request for features based on values in the attribute table. The three basic
components of an attribute query are the attribute field, operator, and attribute value.
Feature
A representation of a real-world object on a GIS map.
geographic coordinates
A measurement of a location on the earth's surface expressed in degrees of latitude and
longitude
GIS
Acronym for geographic information system. An integrated system of data, software,
hardware, people and workflows used to answer questions, make decisions, and
provide tools to create, share, and use geographic information.
Layer
2
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
References GIS data that represents real world features. The layer creates a symbol to
represent the collection of these features. The features in a layer have the same theme,
geometry, and set of attributes
location query
Request for features based on the location and spatial relationship to other features. The
three basic components of a location query are the layer containing features to select,
the location relationship, and the layer containing the related features
Metadata
Information that describes the content, quality, condition, origin, and other
characteristics of data
Raster
A data model that defines surfaces as an array of equally sized cells arranged in rows and
columns. Each cell contains an attribute or measurement value. A raster's origin, cell
size, and relative cell location are used to determine the location of the cells and raster
on the earth
Scale
Relationship between the size of a feature on a map and the actual size of that feature in
the real world. Scales can be expressed as a ratio or an equivalence
Vector
A data model that represents geographic features as points, polylines, and polygons.
Attributes are associated with each vector feature, as opposed to a raster data model,
which associates attributes with grid cells. Vector data uses paris of geographic
coordinates to determine the location of the features on the earth
What is GIS?
In its simplest definition, a GIS is a geographic information system. However, if you asked a
room of 20 people what a GIS is, you may end up with 20 different definitions. Although each
GIS has the same basic purpose, their functionality can vary greatly.
The following video will introduce you to a GIS, illustrate its fundamental functionality, and
demonstrate some of its newest capabilities.
How a GIS works
Whether you search an address on the Internet or map fire truck routes, you can use a GIS to
get the information you need.
3
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
GIS provides tools to create, share, and use geographic information with others. For example,
you can locate addresses for each of your customers, share this information with your coworkers, and work together to build a customer profile.
The functionality and versatility of a GIS depends on the system itself. A GIS integrates
hardware, software, data, people, and workflows into its comprehensive package.
Move your mouse pointer over the graphic.
This is an interactive graphic designed to help you learn about the components of a GIS. To begin,
move your mouse over the graphic.
What can you do with a GIS?
As previously discussed, a GIS uses geographic information to answer questions and make
decisions. In order to analyze and assess the information, it needs to be presented in a format
that others can understand. One of the most common GIS formats is a GIS map. Below are realworld examples of GIS maps that have been formatted to analyze trends, find relationships, and
assist with future decisions.
Click an item below.
Map location
4
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Map quantities
Map what is inside
Map densities
Map what is nearby
Map change
This map illustrates the location of countries, rivers, and cities within the
continent of Africa. Locational maps can be used to determine where things are
situated in relation to each other and are often used with navigation
This map illustrates the percentage of woman located in United States
counties. Quantitative maps are often used to find trends; for example, there
is a higher percentage of woman living in the eastern states shown on the
map.
This map illustrates school locations in relation to crime areas. Mapping what is
5
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
inside can assist with monitoring and assessment. According to this map,
schools located in Miami may be more at risk, since Miami has the
highestnumber of crime reportsThis map illustrates a higher population density
in the southeast portion of Canada. Density maps can be used to condense
large amounts of data analyzed for correlations and trends. Further analysis
could be completed to determine if the denser population is related to the
proximity of the border or the proximity of water bodies.
This map illustrates the proximity of JMill retail stores to county spending
potential. Mapping what is nearby is often used in risk assessment and
predictions. JMill predicts higher revenue in the Massachusetts, Connecticut,
and Rhode Island stores, since they are located within 20 miles of a higher
potential spending index
This map illustrates population change over the past ten years. The largest population changes occurred in the
western and southeastern states. This can be used to assess future trends in urban sprawl and market demands
Author, share, use
After analyzing a map, you may want to share it with a colleague or organization. A GIS's
extended functionality provides a variety of options to create, share, and use geographic
information.
6
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Author
Geographic information, such as maps and data, can be created using GIS software, such as
Esri's ArcGIS for Desktop, or using online resources. Each option provides different functionality,
according to the needs of the user.
Share
Geographic information can be shared using a variety of methods, including packaging and
sending a data file, or sharing maps online that can be accessed through a web browser.
Use
Sharing provides the opportunity for others to use geographic information to answer their own
questions, analyze patterns and relationships, and share results with others.
Introducing an online GIS
Each GIS has different functionality. Which functionality you use depends on the question you
are trying to answer or the problem you are trying to solve. In this demo, you will be looking at a
GIS that can be accessed over the Internet. The presenter will work with some of its functionality
7
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
to add shared geographic information, in order to map locations and answer questions regarding
trip logistics.
Exercise: Using a GIS
Print
Imagine you are an epidemiologist studying thousands of insect-born diseases. You have just
been informed that an epidemic of moscitotitis has hit a few of the countries in South America
and you need to review a map to determine which countries are most susceptible to the spread.
A GIS analyst has created and shared a file with geographic information locating the sites where
moscitotitis has spread. You will access the shared data in a GIS to answer the following
question:
What countries are adjacent to those infected with moscitotitis?
This information will help you take preventative action and hopefully stop moscitotis from
spreading to other countries.
Estimated completion time: 15 minutes
Step 1: Download the data
To complete the exercise, you need to download the data. If you have already downloaded and
installed the data, continue to the next step.
Can't find the data you downloaded?
Step 2: Navigating to ArcGIS Online
In this step, you will navigate to ArcGIS Online. You will use this online GIS to access and view
the shared data.
Open Internet Explorer and type www.arcgis.com/home.
View result
At the top of the web page, confirm that it says Show: All Content. If not, click the dropdown arrow and choose All Content.
View result
Step 3: Search for shared data
8
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
The first step of your analysis is to find the shared moscitotitis data. In this step, you will search
for the moscitotitis data and save it to your computer.
At the top of the ArcGIS Online web page, type moscitotitis in the search field.
A new web page should open, with results for moscitotitis.
View result
Click the drop-down menu next to Open and choose Download.
Click Save on the File Download dialog box.
In the Save As window, navigate to your ..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1 folder and
click Save.
View result
After the data saves to your folder, a Download complete window will appear.
Click Close.
You will open the file after opening a map.
Step 4: Open a map to use for analysis
In this step, you will open a map in ArcGIS Online, which you will use to analyze the moscitotitis
data.
At the top of the ArcGIS Online web page, click MAP.
View result
This is the map that you will use for your analysis. There are a number of tools on this map that
allow you to zoom, pan, add data, save the map, share the map, and more. Today, you will focus
on adding data and panning the map.
Step 5: Add data to the map
9
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
In order to identify which countries are exposed to moscitotitis, you will need some reference
data. In this step you will add data to the map that will help you determine the names of the
susceptible countries.
At the top of My Map web page, click Add > Search for Layers.
The Search for layers to add window appears, with a Find field and an In field. Find is where you
designate search terms, and In is where you specify where you would like to search.
View result
In the Find field, type World Imagery.
Click Go or press Enter on your keyboard.
In the results window, find the World Imagery result and click Add.
View result
Return to the Find window and type World Boundaries and Places.
Click Go or press Enter on your keyboard.
In the results window, find the World Boundaries and Places result and click Add.
View result
You now have a background map to help you identify countries with moscitotitis sitings. Next,
you will add the moscitotitis data you saved to your computer.
Step 6: Analyze the data
In this step, you will add the data shared by the GIS analyst and use a few of the GIS tools to
analyze the data and identify susceptible countries.
At the top of the My Map web page, click Add > Add Layer from File.
10
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
In the Add Layer from File window, click Browse and navigate to your
..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1 folder.
Select the moscitotitis.zip folder and click Open.
View result
In the Add Layer from File window, leave the defaults and click Import Layer. You now have
all the data you need for your analysis.
View result
On the Map web page, click the image of South America and drag the cursor up. This will
move, or pan, the image further up so you can see more of South America.
Pan until you are able to see all of the moscitotitis sites and the neighboring countries.
What countries are adjacent to those infected with moscitotis?
Answer
Brazil and Colombia
In this exercise, you worked with a GIS to answer proximity questions that will guide future
decisions.
Note: To save and share your map and other data you first need to create a free Esri global
account
.
Close Internet Explorer.
11
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Defining GIS
Now you will test your knowledge of the topics that have been covered so far. Take some time to
review each of these question-and-answer choices. Please choose the option that best answers
the question.
What is a GIS?
12
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Geospatial information software that provides tools to answer questions and
make decisions.
A geographic information system that provides tools to create, analyze, and
share geographic information in order to answer questions and make
decisions.
A geographic information source that only provides geographic information.
Correct!
What can you do with the following GIS map?
Map change
Map what is nearby
Map location
Correct! This map illustrates the change in San Francisco traffic depending on the time of day.
What question does this GIS map best answer?
13
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
What is on top of what?
Where is something located?
What is connected to what?
Correct! This map illustrates what streets are connected with street junctions.
What is GIS data?
Trees, buildings, streets, and lakes are examples of real-world objects. When using a GIS, these
objects are referred to as features. How would you represent these features in a map? What
about something that is harder to visualize, such as rainfall? This demo will introduce you to the
two different ways of representing features and phenomena in a GIS.
feature
A representation of a real-world object on a GIS map
Vector geometries
Vector data is used to define objects with distinct boundaries, such as roads, parks, and land
parcels. In order to accurately represent these objects, a GIS provides different geometries to
use depending on the object you are trying to represent. The three geometries are points,
polylines, and polygons.
vector
A data model that represents geographic features as points, polylines, and polygons. Attributes
are associated with each vector feature, as opposed to a raster data model, which associates
attributes with grid cells. Vector data uses paris of geographic coordinates to determine the
location of the features on the earth.
Click an item below.
Points
14
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Points are defined by a single location. This image illustrates the points used to represent trees. Each
point has a longitude and latitude location (also referred to as geographic coordinates) that defines the
precise location of the feature on the earth. This image provides an example of the geographic coordinates
for one of the tree points.
Polylines
Polylines are defined by two or more locations that are connected with lines. This image illustrates the
polyline used to represent the river. Each location has a longitude and latitude (also referred to as
geographic coordinates) that defines the precise location of the river on the earth. This image provides an
example of the geographic coordinates for one of the polyline locations.
Polygons
Polygons are defined using multiple locations that are connected and closed. This image illustrates a
polygon used to represent the lake. Each location has a longitude and latitude (aslo referred to as
geographic coordinates) that defines the precise location of the lake on the earth. This image provides an
example of the geographic coordinates for one of the polygon locations.
Points
Vector information
Vector data uses geographic coordinates to determine where features are located. It uses
attribute information to determine what something is. This demo will take a deeper look at
vector attribute tables and identify common field types used in attribute tables. For more
information regarding field types please see ArcGIS field data types
.
15
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Raster basics
Not every object or phenomena has distinct boundaries. Precipitation, heat from a forest fire,
and satellite imagery are all examples of features and phenomena with a continuous surface,
without a defined outline. A continuous surface describes a surface where every location has a
value, and every value could be unique; for example, elevation. A GIS represents this
information using a raster data model.
Click the buttons to navigate.
Back
Next
A raster is made up of equal-sized cells arranged in rows and columns
16
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
The raster has an origin (real-world location). A GIS uses the origin, relative cell location, and cell size to
determine the location of the cells on the earth
17
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Each cell in a raster stores a value. The value can represent a continuous measurement such as elevation or a
discrete value such as land cover
Data storage
Raster and vector data can be stored as a variety of data types.
Vector data types can be stored in a folder or in a geodatabase as a geodatabase feature class.
Raster data types can be stored in a folder as a raster dataset or in a geodatabase as a mosaic
dataset.
Vector
Raster
Shapefile
TIFF
CAD
JPEG
Geodatabase feature class*
Mosaic dataset*
*These data types are only available in a geodatabase.
A mosaic dataset is a collection of multiple rasters that acts as a catalog, indexing the rasters so
you can easily query and search for the data and its associated information.
18
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
A mosaic dataset is a collection of rasters.
Metadata
Sometimes you may not have enough information about your data. In this case, you
can review the feature's metadata. metadata
Information that describes the content, quality, condition, origin, and other characteristics of
data
Metadata provides additional information about the feature(s) and attributes, such as a
description of the data, who created the data, and its usage constraints.
19
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Exercise: Which data to use?
Print
One of the city's engineers needs to complete some fieldwork for a construction project in
Riverside, California. As the data manager you have been assigned the following task: Create a
map document of Riverside sewer lines, overlaying an aerial photograph.
You will review the city's data repository in order to find the geographic information you need for
this map document.
Estimated completion time: 20 minutes
Step 1: Download the data
20
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
To complete the exercise, you need to download the data. If you have already downloaded and
installed the data, continue to the next step.
Can't find the data you downloaded?
Step 2: Open ArcMap
In this step, you will open ArcMap and familiarize yourself with the interface.
Click the Start menu and choose All Programs > ArcGIS > ArcMap.
In the ArcMap - Getting Started window, click Cancel.
Note: If you do not see the ArcMap - Getting Started window, click Customize at the top of
ArcMap. Then click ArcMap Options. In the ArcMap Options window click the General tab.
Under Startup, check Show Getting Started dialog. Click OK to close the window.
If necessary, maximize the ArcMap window.
View result
On the right side of the ArcMap interface, locate the Catalog window tab.
Note: If you do not see the Catalog window tab, click the Catalog window button
on the
Standard toolbar.
Click the Catalog tab to open the Catalog window.
Click the Auto Hide button
so that it points down. This will keep the window open.
Tip: To set the window to auto hide, click the Auto Hide button again.
The Catalog window is used to organize and manage geographic information, such as data and
maps. You will be working with the Catalog window to view and add data to the map document.
Step 3: Set up a folder connection
21
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
You will need to access the city's data repository. In this step, you will set up a folder connection
in order to access the data.
In the Catalog window, click Connect to Folder
.
In the Connect to Folder window, navigate to your ..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1
folder and click OK.
View result
In the Catalog window expand to the ..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1\WhichData
folder.
This folder contains the city's data and a map document to use for the project. There is additonal
data stored in the Riverside geodatabase.
Expand Riverside.gdb to view all available data.
View result
Double-click the RiversideConstruction.mxd.
This will open the map document that you will use for the project.
View result
The map document appears blank, because you will be adding the data from the folder you just
reviewed.
Step 4: Find the sewer line data
In this step, you will review the data to determine which file represents the sewer line features.
First, you need to answer some questions that will help you choose the correct data.
Since sewer lines are discrete features, are they more likely to be represented with a vector or
raster data model?
Answer
22
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Vector
Which geometry will best represent sewer lines - point, polyline, or polygon?
Answer
Polyline
Knowing this information, select Riverside_Sch from the Catalog window and drag it into
the table of contents, under Riverside Data.
View result
Note: The color of the data will vary every time it is added to a map document.
What geometry is the Riverside_Sch data?
Answer
Polygon
To confirm the geometry, you can view the attribute table.
In the table of contents, right-click Riverside_Sch and choose Open Attribute Table.
View result
Close the attribute table.
Since Riverside_Sch is not the data you will need for this map document, you can remove the
data.
In the table of contents, right-click Riverside_Sch and choose Remove.
In the Catalog window, select Riverside_SewerL and drag it into the table of contents.
View result
What geometry is the Riverside_SewerL data?
Answer
Polyline
You can confirm what this data represents by reviewing its metadata.
23
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
In the Catalog window, right-click Riverside_SewerL and choose Item Description.
View result
Scroll down in the Item Description and review the Summary.
What does the data represent?
Answer
Riverside sewer lines
Close the Item Description.
Step 5: Find the aerial data
Now that you have the sewer lines, you need to find and add the aerial data to complete the
map. In this step, you will review the remaining data to find the areial photograph.
First, you will need to answer a few questions about the aerial data to help you find the correct
data.
Aerial data, also known as orthophotos, are aerial photographs. Do you think this data is best
represented as a vector or raster data model?
Answer
Raster
Of the remaining data files, which are more likely to be the aerial photos?
Answer
riverside_dem or Riverside_Orth.sid
In the Catalog window, select riverside_dem and drag it under the Riverside_SewerL data
in the table of contents window.
View result
Unlike vector data, this continuous raster data does not have an attribute table. So you will have
to use the metadata to determine what this data represents.
In the Catalog window, right-click riverside_dem and choose Item Description.
View result
24
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Note: The Item Description will sometimes provide a thumbnail image of the data. You can
use this to view the image instead of adding it to the map.
What does this data represent?
Answer
Riverside elevation levels
Remove the riverside_dem data from the map.
Hint
Instead of adding the last file, Riverside_Orth.sid, to the map, you will open it's Item Description
to view an image and review the metadata.
In the Catalog window, right-click Riverside_Orth.sid and choose Item Description.
View result
What does the data represent?
Answer
Orthophotos
Add Riverside_Orth.sid to the map.
Hint
View result
Step 6: Update the metadata
You now have a map document of Riverside sewerlines and orthophotos completed for the
engineer. However, as the data manager, you would like to update the Riverside_Orth.sid
metadata to include a reference to aerial photos for future clarfication.
If the Riverside_Orth.sid Item Description is closed, open it.
Hint
In the Item Description window, click the Edit button.
View result
In the Edit window, type aerial photos under Tags.
25
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Click Save.
View result
Close the Item Description.
You have sucessfully created the engineer's map document and added metadata that will help
with future data searches.
Save the map and close ArcMap.
Choosing data models
The Department of International Heath is completing a GIS study to determine hospital-patient
proximity in Spain. They know what features they will need for this study, but do not know which
data models to use.
Review a few of the features included in the study and choose the best data model to represent
the data.
Hospital buildings
Hint
Vector polylines
Raster
Vector points
Correct!
Streets
Hint
Vector polygons
Vector polylines
Raster
26
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Correct!
Aerial images to use as a reference
Raster
Vector polygons
Vector polylines
Correct! Raster data is used to represent aerial photographs and images.
Navigating a GIS map
You have set up a GIS map, added data, and would like to begin analyzing the map to make
decisions in the workplace. But what's the next step? How will you work with a GIS to analyze
the map? This demo will introduce common tools you can use to navigate a GIS map and answer
a variety of questions based on visual analysis.
Layers
GIS maps are organized by layers. A map layer references GIS data that represents real world
features. The layer uses symbols to represent the collection of features. These features have the
same theme, geometry, and set of attributes.
27
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
This map layer is used to represent features with the theme of colleges. These features are represented using
points and share the same attributes headings, such as the name of the college and the state where it is located.
Layers can be turned on and off and reordered. Moving the layers changes the order that they
draw on the map. Layers can also be represented with multiple symbols based on their
attributes. For example, the following population polygons are represented with different
symbols depending on the population percentage.
28
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
This layer represents the 48 contiguous states. The symbology is based on the percentage of 18 - 21 year-olds
within each state.
Scale
Navigating the layers in a GIS map will change the map scale. Scale is the relationship between
the size of a feature on a map and the actual size of that feature in the real world.
Scale can be expressed as a ratio, such as 1:24,000. This means that a feature on the map is
24,000 times smaller than its corresponding feature in the real world. Scale can also be
expressed as an equivalence, such as 1 inch = 5 miles.
A GIS scale is dynamic, which means that it changes each time you zoom in and out of the map.
Click an item below.
1:10,000,000
1:750,000
1:100,000
1:24,000
29
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
The Hawaiian islands displayed at a 1:10,000,000 scale.
Honolulu, Hawaii displayed at a 1:750,000 scaleHonolulu, Hawaii displayed at
a 1:100,000 scaleHonolulu, Hawaii displayed at a 1:24,000 scale. As the
feature gets closer, the scale increases (becomes larger) and the reduction
ratio decreases (larger scale = less reduction). Remember that these are
ratios, so 1:24,000 is larger than 1:100,000
Exercise: Moving around a map
Print
Imagine you are an economist studying potential resource challenges in light of predicted
population changes.
The first step of your study is to identify countries with the greatest projected population
increase and countries with a projected population decrease. These countries will be at the
highest risk of resource depletion.
Estimated completion time: 15 minutes
Step 1: Download the data
To complete the exercise, you need to download the data. If you have already downloaded and
installed the data, continue to the next step.
Can't find the data you downloaded?
30
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Step 2: Open an ArcMap document
In this step, you will open the map document that you will be using for this exericse.
Open ArcMap.
Hint
Open your Start menu and choose All Programs > ArcGIS > ArcMap.
In the ArcMap - Getting Started window, click Browse for more (located on the left side of
the window, under Existing Maps).
In the Open ArcMap Document window, navigate to
..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1\NavigateGIS folder.
Select PopulationChange.mxd and click Open.
View result
Note: If the ArcCatalog window displays on the right side of ArcMap, close the window. You
will not need it for this exercise.
Step 3: Turn on layers
Your map document appears to be blank, because the layers are not yet turned on. In the next
step, you will turn on and review the map layers.
Look at the table of contents.
There are three layers that have been added to this map document: Basemap, Boundaries, and
Projected Population Change.
Click the box next to Basemap.
A check appears in the box and the map displays a satellite image of the Earth. This layer will be
used as a reference.
View result
31
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Click the box next to Boundaries.
Although the continent names display, the continent boundaries do not. The Boundaries
layer is below the Basemap layer in the table of contents. This means that the Boundaries
will display beneath the Basemap.
Click the Basemap layer and drag it under the Boundaries layer.
Now the Boundaries will display on top of the Basemap.
View result
Click the box next to Basemap to turn off the layer.
Click the box next to Projected Population Change.
A gray check appears, but the data does not display.
Why does the Projected Population Change layer not display?
Answer
Find the Map Scale field at the top of ArcMap.
In the Map Scale field, click the drop-down menu and choose 1:100,000,000.
View result
Move your mouse scroll bar up and down to zoom in and out of the map. If you scroll out
beyond 1:100,000,000 the Projection Population Change data does not display.
Step 4: Zoom and pan the continents
Now that the layers are turned on, you will use the zoom and pan tools to analyze projected
population trends between the different continents.
Click the Full Extent button
on the Tools toolbar to view all of the continents.
32
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Zoom to a 1:100,000,000 scale.
Hint
Click the Scale drop-down and select 1:100,000,000 or scroll your mouse.
Click the Pan button
on the Tools toolbar.
Click the center of the map and drag, or pan, to the right until you can see North America.
View result
Note: The Go Back To Previous Extent button
on the Tools toolbar will move the map to
the previous extent and scale. This can be used if you zoom or pan too far.
Pan to each continent to answer the following questions.
Which continents have countries projecting the greatest increase in population?
Answer
Africa and Asia
Which continents have countries projecting a decrease in population?
Answer
Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia.
Step 5: Zoom and pan Africa
Since some of the countries in Africa are projected to increase in population while others are
projected to decrease, Africa may encounter a number of resource challenges. Your next step is
to use the zoom and pan tools to further examine this country.
Click the Zoom In button
on the Tools toolbar.
Draw a square around Africa.
33
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
View result
Note: You can also use the Fixed Zoom In button
on the Tools toolbar to zoom in at fixed
scales.
You can now see the names of each country in Africa.
Zoom and pan to the countries in Africa to answer the following questions.
What are the names of four African countries predicted to have the greatest increase in
population?
Answer
Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Nigeria, Chad, Congo,
Congo, DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, Sao Tome &
Principe.
What are the names of the African countries predicted to decrease in population?
Answer
34
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho.
You have successfully gathered information that can be used to further assess these countries'
future risk.
Save and close ArcMap.
Data and layout view
You can navigate a GIS map in two different views: the data view and the layout view.
The data view is more commonly used when adding, editing, and analyzing the data. This view
provides a table of contents that lists the map layers and can act as a legend.
The layout view is like a "page view", and is often used before printing or sharing a map. In this
view, you can display map elements such as titles, legends, scale bars, and north arrows.
Europe Gross Domestic Productivity map in the data view versus the layout view. Click to enlarge
Exercise: Moving around a map layout
Print
You have identified African countries with the greatest projected population increase, and
countries with a population decrease. The next step in your economic analysis is to create a map
35
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
to share with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, which identifies these
countries.
Estimated completion time: 10 minutes
Step 1: Download the data
To complete the exercise, you need to download the data. If you have already downloaded and
installed the data, continue to the next step.
Can't find the data you downloaded?
Step 2: Open an ArcMap document
In this step, you will open the map document you will be using for this exercise.
Open ArcMap.
Hint
In the ArcMap - Getting Started window, click Browse for more located on the left side of
the window, under Existing Maps.
In the Open ArcMap Document window, navigate to your
..\Student\GetStartedGIS10_1\NavigateGIS folder.
Select PopulationChangeLayout.mxd and click Open.
View result
Step 3: Zoom to Africa in the layout view
Your ArcMap document is displayed in the data view. In this step, you will view the document in
the layout view.
At the top of the ArcMap window, choose View > Layout View.
Note: Alternatively, you can click the Layout View button
at the bottom of the ArcMap
window.
View result
36
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Note: If the Projected Population Change layer does not display in the Layout view, zoom to
a scale of 1:100,000,000.
In Layout view, you can see that this map document already has certain map elements set up
(e.g., title, legend, scale bar, north arrow). You will have to work with the Layout and Tools
toolbars to better display the map.
On the Tools toolbar click on the Fixed Zoom In button
.
The map zooms in, but the page remains the same. This is because you used the Fixed Zoom In
button on the Tools toolbar. The tools on the Tools toolbar will zoom and pan the map, not the
page itself.
Click the Fixed Zoom In button again and note the change in the map scale.
Do the number values used in the map scale increase or decrease as you zoom in to the map?
Answer
Decrease. As the feature size increases it gets closer to it's real world size, which means that the
amount of reduction between the map and real world will decrease.
Zoom and pan the map so Africa is in the center.
View result
Click the Map Scale field and type 1:40,000,000 to set the map scale.
Turn the Boundaries layer off.
Hint
Click the box next to Boundaries in the table of contents.
Step 4: Rearrange the map layout
Now that you have zoomed in to Africa, the map legend is difficult to see. In this step, you will
rearrange the map layout.
On the Layout toolbar, click the Zoom In button
.
Note: If you do not see the Layout toolbar, click the Customize menu and choose Toolbars >
Layout.
Draw a rectangle around the Legend.
37
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Your entire page will zoom in. Unlike the tools on the Tools toolbar, the tools on the Layout
toolbar will zoom and pan the page, and not the map.
On the Layout toolbar, use the Pan button
and Fixed Zoom Out button
until you can
see the Legend and the bottom of the map.
View result
On the Tools toolbar, click the Select Elements button
.
Select the Legend.
A blue dotted box will appear around the selected item and your cursor symbol will change to
crosshairs, indicating that you can move the selected element.
View result
Click and drag the legend toward the bottom of the map, next to the scale bar.
On the Layout toolbar, click the Zoom Whole Page button
to view the full map.
You have successfully created a map layout to present to the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries, and Food.
Save and close ArcMap.
Finding information
Visual analysis can answer many questions, especially when you are working with specific data.
However, if you are working with more general data (schools, power lines, trees) you may need
to search this data to find exactly what you need (elementary schools, distribution lines, white
oak trees). This demo introduces you to a few of the common GIS tools used to search and find
additional information about your data.
In this demo Wetland and Creeks, Inc., a fictitious company, is attempting to identify sites where
they can restore wetland areas in order to compensate for wetlands that have been destroyed or
38
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
removed for development (wetland mitigation). The company is searching for hydric soils, which
are soils commonly found in wetlands. In particular, they are looking for hydric soils named
watchung silt loam (WaB) and codorus silt loam (Co). The presenter will find the information
needed by Wetlands and Creeks, Inc. by applying a combination of GIS tools, using vector data
and a mosaic dataset.
Info tools and attributes
Finding additional information about data is possible because of the relationship between
features and their attributes. The attribute table provides the fields and values used to search
and query data. The connection between features and attributes allows searches and queries to
extend to other functionality, such as creating subsets of data based on criteria.
The following graphic illustrates the result of a search based on rental properties data. By
searching the field "Type" for the value "Apartment", the GIS can find all matching records and
their associated features.
This graphic illustrates the relationship between features and attributes when searching for apartments.
Attribute query basics
Attribute queries allow you to search data based on specific feature values in the attribute table
and create subsets of those features and attributes. This provides extended functionality, such as
calculating statistics, creating new layers, and performing analyses specific to these subsets.
attribute query
39
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Request for features based on values in the attribute table. The three basic components of an
attribute query are the attribute field, operator, and attribute value
There are three basic components needed to create an attribute query:
1. Attribute field
2. Operator (=, >, <, >=, And, Or)
3. Attribute value
In the first example (on the left) the field is Type, the operator is =, and the value is Apartment. In the second
example (on the right) the field is Price, the operator is >, and the value is 1500.
You can create a query based on several attributes by integrating 'And' or 'Or' into the query.
The And operator selects features that meet both criteria; in this case, the apartment that costs 1300 dollars. The
Or statement, however, selects features that meet either of the criteria; in this case, all apartments and any
housing type that cost more than 1200 dollars.
Location query basics
40
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Features can also be queried based on their spatial location in relationship to other features.
There are three basic components needed to create a location query:
location query
Request for features based on the location and spatial relationship to other features. The three
basic components of a location query are the layer containing features to select, the location
relationship, and the layer containing the related features
1. Layer containing features you want to select
2. Location relationship
3. Layer containing the related features
There are four basic types of location relationships:
Click an item below.
Intersect: The blue polygons in this graphic indicate school districts that are intersected by the Polk
county boundary, which is outlined in red
Near: This graphic illustrates streets within a 1 mile radius of the fire station in Portsmouth, NH
Adjacent: This graphic illustrates countries adjacent to Iraq's border, which are indicated in green
Inside; This graphic illustrates cities located inside of Paraguay, which are indicated with yellow points
41
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
The blue polygons in this graphic indicate school districts that are intersected by the Polk county
boundary, which is outlined in red.
Creating queries
As the GIS manager for the state of Massachusetts, you have been assigned to extract subsets
of the larger datasets in the state's data repository. Your goal is to create queries of the data
based on different criteria.
You have been provided a criteria description, picture of the data, and the field(s) and value(s)
needed for the query. Review each query and drag the appropriate operator or relationship into
the blanks. The result of the query is a "selected set", or subset, of the data.
Select colleges inside of Massachusetts' boundary.
Correct!
contain
intersect
Within
Colleges ______Massachusetts
Select all commercial zoning.
42
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Correct!
<
IS
=
Zone_Type _____Commercial
Select all parcels that are located in Bristol county, including those that extend into
Plymouth county.
Correct!
near
within
intersect
Parcels _________Bristol
Select all the Boston hospitals that, on average, have more than 400,000 patients.
<
>=
OR
43
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Location = Boston _______ AvgNum_Patients _____ 400000
Exercise: Querying maps
Print
The Land Trust of Eastern Australia (LTEA) is applying for funding from the International Orchid
Preservation Society.
As property manager of LTEA, you have been assigned the following tasks:
Determine which LTEA sites contain threatened orchid species, required for funding.
Create a map illustrating sites that contain the threatened orchid species.
Estimated completion time: 20 minutes
Step 1: Download the data
To complete the exercise, you need to download the data. If you have already downloaded and
installed the data, continue to the next step.
Can't find the data you downloaded?
Step 2: Review map layers
In this step, you will open the map document for this exercise and review its map layers. You will
use these map layers in your analysis.
Open ArcMap.
Navigate to your ..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1\FindingInfo folder.
Hint
In the ArcMap - Getting Started window, click Browse for more, located on the left side of the
window under Existing Maps.
44
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
In the Open ArcMap Document window, navigate to your
..\Student\GettingStartedGIS10_1\FindingInfo folder.
Choose LandTrustFunding.mxd and click Open.
View result
Note: If the Catalog window appears, close it. You will not need it for this exercise.
There are three layers in the table of the contents: Orchids, LTEA sites, and Basemap.
Orchids and LTEA sites will be used in the analysis and Basemap is a reference layer.
Open the Orchids attribute table.
Hint
In the table of contents, right-click Orchids and choose Open Attribute Table.
The Status field identifies the conservation status of the species - whether it is common,
threatened, or endangered. The Name field provides the name of the orchid species.
What are the names of the two threatened orchid species?
Answer
Butterfly and Zebra
Close the attribute table.
Step 3: Find threatened species
Now that you have reviewed the Orchids attribute table, you will use the Find tool to locate
threatened species.
On the Tools toolbar, click the Find tool
.
View result
The Find tool will look for values in the attribute table. The Orchids attribute table has two fields
that will find threatened species: the Status and Name field. First, you will look for a specific
threatened species using the Name field, then all threatened species using Status field.
In the Find window, for Find, type Zebra
This is the name of the threatened species.
45
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
For In, choose Orchids from the drop-down menu.
Use the defaults for the rest of the dialog box.
Click Find or press Enter.
The bottom of the window reports that 34 records were found.
View result
Double-click one of the records. The map will zoom, pan, and flash the corresponding
feature.
Note: Alternatively, you can right-click the feature and choose Zoom To.
Right-click one of the records and click Select. The corresponding feature will be
highlighted.
View result
Tip: To select multiple records, press Control, click multiple records, right-click, then choose
Select. All of the corresponding features will be highlighted.
On the Tools toolbar, click the Clear Selected Features button
.
Now you know how to select a species by name. Next, you will select species by a different
criteria (attribute value).
Using the method you just learned, find all threatened species.
Hint
How many records of threatened species did you find?
Answer
58
Close the Find dialog box.
Step 4: Identify species in each site
46
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
You could use the Find tool to navigate to each threatened species and determine if it is located
in a LTEA site. However, with so many records, this may take a while. In this step, you will use
the Identify tool as an alternative method to find threatened orchid locations.
At the top of ArcMap, click the Bookmarks menu.
Choose LTEA site.
View result
Note: Bookmarks identify a particular geographic location. You can create multiple
bookmarks in order to save, and later reference, specific locations on the map. For more
information on how to create and manage bookmarks please see Using spatial bookmarks
on the ArcGIS Resource Center.
On the Tools toolbar, click the Identify button
.
Click on the orchid located inside of the LTEA site.
An Identify window appears with attribute information for the selected feature.
What is the orchid's species name? Is it one of the threatened species?
Answer
It is a Tiger orchid, which is not one of the threatened species.
Close the identify window.
Step 5: Create an attribute query
You could use the Identify tool for each LTEA site to determine threatened species location.
However, this is still very time-consuming task, due to the quantity of sites. In this step, you will
learn how to create an attribute query to locate all of the threatened orchid species.
Zoom out to see all of the orchid sites.
Hint
In the table of contents, right-click Orchids and choose Zoom To Layer.
At the top of ArcMap, click the Selection menu and choose Select By Attributes.
View result
47
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
The Layer is set to Orchids, since you want to select the features in this layer. The fields should
list "OBJECTID", "Name", and "Status". These are the three fields in the attribute table. To select
all threatened orchids you can create a query using either the Name or Status field. For now, you
will use the Status field.
Click "Status" and then click Get Unique Values.
'Common' and 'Threatened' should appear as the unique values.
View result
Double-click "Status".
The word "Status" will appear in the expression box.
Click the equal sign
.
Double-click 'Threatened'.
This expression selects all orchids whose Status field is equal to 'Threatened'.
View result
Click Verify.
The Verifying expression window appears.
Confirm that the expression was successfully verified, then click OK to close the window.
Note: If the expression does not successfully verify, return to the previous step and confirm
that you have the correct expression.
Click OK.
All of the threatened orchid species are selected and the number of selected features displays at
the bottom-left side of the ArcMap window.
View result
Step 6: Create a location query
You have successfully identified all of the threatened orchid species. The next step is to use a
location query to quickly identify the LTEA sites that contain these orchid species.
At the top of ArcMap, click the Selection menu and choose Select by Location.
View result
48
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
For Target layer(s), check the box next to LTEA sites, since you are trying to select features
from this layer.
Confirm that the Source layer drop-down menu is set to Orchids, since you are selecting
sites based on the location of these features.
Under the Source layer drop-down menu, check Use selected features, to confirm that you
only want use the orchids that have been selected (the threated species).
From the Spatial selection method drop-down menu, choose completely contain the source
layer feature.
Click Apply and then OK.
The sites containing threatened species are selected.
View result
Step 7: Create a map of sites containing threatened species
Now that you have selected the sites that contain threatened orchid species, the last step is to
turn off unnecessary data and set up your map document.
Turn off the Orchids layer.
Hint
In the table of contents, check the box next to Orchids.
49
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
You can clearly see which features are selected as the sites that contain threatened species. In
order to display only these selected features, you will create a new map layer.
Right-click LTEA sites in the table of contents and choose Selection > Create Layer From
Selected Features.
A new layer is added to the map called LTEA sites selection.
View result
This layer creates a new symbology for the selected features, or in this case, sites containing
threatened orchids.
Turn off the LTEA sites.
Zoom to the LTEA sites selection layer.
Hint
In the table of contents, right-click LTEA sites selection and choose Zoom To Layer.
Switch to Layout view.
Hint
Click the Layout view button
at the bottom of ArcMap.
View result
The map elements have already been set up, and now that you have identified the sites
containing threatened orchids, your map is complete. Now your organization knows which sites
are eligible for the Interational Orchid Preservation Society funding and can begin the application
process.
Save and close ArcMap.
Review
Review each of the topics below:
What is GIS?
Correct!
50
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
GIS stands for ______________. The system _________ work together to
create,__________, and share geographic information in order to answer geographic
_________ and make decisions.
What is GIS data?
A GIS represents real-world objects, or features, using two different data models. Which data
models are used to represent these layers?
Fill in the blanks below with the correct answers.
The Digital Elevation Model layer is represented using a
streams layer is represented using a
data model and the Oregon
data model.
Show correct answersTry again
Finding information
Queries are a type of analysis that can be used to answer questions about your data. Review the
following maps and attribute tables and determine which type of query (attribute or location) you
would perform.
51
Getting Started with GIS ArcGIS Map 10.1 Notes
Fill in the blanks below with the correct answers.
In the Florida Parks and Rivers map you would use a(n)
query to find Florida parks
that are intersected by rivers. In the Schools in Florida Counties map you can use a(n)
query to find all of the elementary schools.
52