GIS Day

GIS Day is on the third Wednesday of November around the world. It’s hard to imagine how we would manage without a geographic information system – it literally takes us anywhere in the world, wherever we want to go! It makes life easier, it’s really an amazing thing!

History

GIS Day was founded in 1999 by Jack Dangermond, co-founder of the geographic information systems company Esri. The purpose of the holiday is to educate people about the importance of GIS processes and influences in our daily lives. Many perceive it as commonplace, but people a few decades ago could not have imagined such amazing opportunities. A trip to a new city was complicated by ignorance of the area: we had to look for people who would tell us the way, but now a regular smartphone can handle it.

The GIS system was developed by Roger Tomlinson in 1962. Initially, the project was not taken seriously. Tomlinson shared that no one knew about the significance of his work, so at first, it was a lonely journey. But thanks to his work, today it stands on a pedestal – we can only clap and say thank you!

Interesting facts

Here are some interesting facts about GIS:

• The term “geographic information systems” was coined on December 1, 1965.
• In 1972, the Landsat satellite was launched into orbit, allowing real-time monitoring of the earth’s surface.
• In 2007, the Street View program was launched.
• The Americans were the first to take a picture from a satellite – it displayed Mexico and part of the Pacific Ocean.
• GIS is used not only for our planet but also for Mars – it was this technology that paved the way for rovers.

How to take part

If you want to take part in GIS Day, there are several things you can do:

• Learn more about the system and its functions.
• Teach older people how to use the maps and explain the benefits and convenience of using GIS.
• Share information on social networks.
• Participate in events dedicated to the holiday!

When is GIS Day in 2024?

GIS Day is observed on the third Wednesday of November each year.

Observations