Date
Wednesday
Nov
20

November 20

GIS Day

Unfold the world around you this GIS Day! Discover the power of mapping and how it shapes our lives daily. Let's traverse digital landscapes together!

Type
Day

Introduction

Mark your calendars for an exciting journey as we celebrate GIS Day on November 20! GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a modern marvel that has revolutionized mapping and continues to play an integral role in our daily lives. The roots of this special day go back to 1999 when it was first initiated by ESRI, a renowned international supplier of GIS software. Ever since, it has grown into a worldwide event with people participating from different corners of our planet. Community outreach, open houses, map galleries, geo-quests - there's no limit to how we can celebrate GIS Day. So, join us as we uncover the hidden stories of our fascinating world through the vivid and informative lens of GIS!

GIS Day Timeline

1962
Invention of GIS
Roger Tomlinson, known as the "father of GIS," invented the concept while working for the Canadian government.
1969
First GIS Software
The first operational GIS was developed by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).
1990s
GIS Goes Digital
The evolution of digital mapping technologies in the 1990s facilitated a new era for GIS, making it more user-friendly and accessible.
1999
First GIS Day
ESRI President and Co-founder Jack Dangermond inaugurated the first GIS Day with Ralph Nader, promoting the awareness of digital geography and geospatial information in society.
2010s
Popularity and Accessibility
The use of GIS tools became more popular and accessible with the rise of smartphones and GPS technology, increasing participation in GIS Day activities.
2020
GIS Day Goes Virtual
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the GIS Day events went virtual, which provided opportunities for a more global participation.

How to Celebrate GIS Day

1

Host a GIS-themed trivia night

Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and host a trivia night focused entirely on geographic concepts and GIS. It's a fun way to educate them about the significance of spatial thinking in our daily lives.

2

Animate your map

Utilize GIS software to animate your own dynamic map depicting certain phenomena, historical events, or ongoing processes. Sharing your creation on social media could inspire others to appreciate the power of GIS.

3

Participate in a Geo-Quest

Engage in a real-life adventure by participating in a Geo-Quest or Geo-Caching. These games overlay physical terrain with digital information, leading participants on a quest using GPS coordinates.

4

Arrange an interactive GIS workshop

Partner with schools and community organizations to host a GIS workshop. This could be an engaging way to introduce more people to the world of digital mapping and spatial analysis.

5

Curate a map gallery

Collect some of the most interesting, informative, and stunning map examples created using GIS. Offer viewers a window into the diverse applications and infinite possibilities of GIS.

Why GIS Day is Important

A

It Increases Geographic Literacy

Generally, the understanding of geographic concepts and spatial relationships is lacking among the public. GIS Day provides a platform to raise the awareness and improve geographic literacy in a fun and engaging way.

B

It Showcases the Power of GIS

GIS technology has drastically altered how we collect, view, and analyze geographical data, making it an invaluable and powerful tool in various fields. GIS Day is a great time to showcase this power, by highlighting extraordinary GIS applications and innovations.

C

It Fosters Community Engagement

GIS Day encourages community engagement through various interactive activities such as Geo-Quests, trivia nights, and GIS workshops. It offers a unique opportunity for individuals and communities to come together and learn about the world around them.