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Geographic Information

What is GIS?

GIS DiagramSimply put, geographic information systems provide a way of organizing database records by tying them to geographically synchronized slices of the world so that "where" questions can be asked and answered.  For example:

  • Where in Indiana are parcels of land that would be perfect for a new Honda plant  [June 2006]? Where in Indiana do land parcels exist with specific characteristics of land acreage, assessed value, community demographics (education, unemployment, household income), accessibility to interstate ramps and railroads, that would benefit a Honda plant? It turns out that GIS was able to answer that question - Decatur County. Mary Dickman, Decatur County Auditor's Office, said "Property information requests that used to take a couple of weeks are now answered in a matter of minutes."

More examples of how GIS helps answer "where" questions about economic development, natural resources, disaster recovery, and good government can be found at the Indiana Geographic Information Council Web Site.

Why do governments use GIS?

Geographic Information Technology is an important tool for determining public policy.  In a book about public policy, R.W. Greene says, "The realization is growing that almost everything that happens in a public policy context also happens in a geographic one: transportation planners, water resources studies, education subcommittees, redistricting boards, planning commissions, and crime task forces all must consider questions of where along with the usual ones of how, and why, and how much will it cost. GIS, by answering the first question, helps to answer the others."

What is the role of Indiana's Geographic Information Office?

State and local government agencies, along with the private sector and educational institutions, have been using geographic information technology in Indiana for over twenty-five years. On July 1, 2007, a state Geographic Information Office was created by Indiana Code 4-23-7.3 to coordinate these activities statewide, and specifically, to:

  • Facilitate GIS data cooperation among units of the federal, state, and local governments;
  • Integrate GIS data and framework data developed and maintained by state agencies and political subdivisions into the statewide base map;
  • Acquire, publish, store, and distribute GIS data;
  • Coordinate with state educational institutions to promote formal GIS education opportunities and informal GIS learning opportunities throughout Indiana.

How do I contact Indiana's Geographic Information Office?

You can send e-mail to the Geographic Information Office at GIO@iot.in.gov.