What is GIS (Geographic Information System)?

Ø     A GIS is mapping software that links information about where things are with information about what things are like.  Simply put, a GIS combines layers of information about a place to give you a better understanding of that place. The power of a GIS over paper maps is your ability to select the information you need to see according to what goal you are trying to achieve. A full GIS, or geographic information system, requires hardware, software, data, trained users, and sound analysis methods for interpreting the results generated by the GIS.

Ø      A GIS is organized by Data Themes or Layers. Most GIS databases contain many “layers” - individual graphic data files with fields of attribute data, some of which may serve to link it with other files.

Ø     Some of the data layers that OVRDC has are: aerial photography, U.S.G.S. topographic maps, U.S. Census Tiger files, county roads, highways, parks, forest, boundaries, rivers, lakes, traffic analysis, land analysis, biological, geological, natural hazard, groundwater, oil and gas wells, and much more.