GIS Files 4: Putting it all in a system

4.2: GIS reveals all (2)

Visual analysis

The graphic below shows a range of different thematic map layers. There are basically two different layers here. The first layer displays the relative turnover of a set of burger bars across a city (the blue dots) and the second layer is background mapping. This second layer can be switched between a series of data layers showing a different set of attribute information for the same area. Try swapping the layers around and see if you can spot a correlation between the background layer and the burger bar layer. Which layer shows a pattern that fits with the more successful burger bars? Why might these layers be related?

Have a look . . .

Layer example

This example shows how GIS can be used to visually analyse information and help to explain spatial patterns.

However, you do not have to rely on a visual interpretation of trends in data - the GIS can do this for you. This is explained in section 4.3: What happens where? - the power of the spatial query.

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