GEOG 11: Intro to GIS

Worksheet 2

ArcGIS- ArcMap

1. The map below is made up of two layers. Name them.

States and Persons per Sq. Mile

2. Is this map made with point, line or polygon data?

The map is made with lines and polygon data.

3. Describe the steps required to create the layout seen in

the map to the right:
a. Determine objectives
b. Choose data to use: Add States shape file from
server and US Population (add an attribute table
to calculate population over area) so that density
can be arranged in a graduated color shade scale.
c. Plan map layout: use Layer Properties Display
dialog box to show counties in a tier of 5 color shades, arranged in 5 levels from less than 25 to over 500 per
square mile. Choose appropriate color on the gradient scale (color bar which stretches from yellow to brown).
d. Create the map: make states layer white (hollow) but still showing outlines and change the name of the layer
Population or new layer created Density into Persons per Sq. Mile, leaving the yellow gradient scale.

4. Describe Qualitative Data: State and county borders, state names if the cartographer decides to show them.

5. Describe Quantitative Data: density attribute table calculated from population divided by area, unit is persons per
square mile. This data is reflected in the shape file layer Persons per Sq. Mile.

6. When is it better to use annotated labels instead of dynamic?

Storing text in geodatabases allows more efficient drawing and editing since text positions are fixed. Annotation is
text stored in layers. Annotated labels are better than dynamic in cases when trying to convey tier or categorical data.

7. Name five potential sources for GIS data: U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, National Geographic Societys available
data portal, ESRI (ArcGIS online), data.gov. Universities may help in this case, but not any states or counties.

8. What is a Geographic Coordinate System? It is a choice of values and units to store a data set.

9. If you are creating a new field in an attribute table to show rainfall information, which field type should it be
(short, long, float, double, text, date)? Why?
You would choose a short field type because rainfall ranges between -32000 to 32000 regardless of what units.

10. Vector Data List some real-world examples for each geometry type:

Points Lines Polygons

 Cities and/or capitals Streams and rivers Soil type, parks, lakes and ponds
Hospitals and/or landmarks County or state borders Historic sites, counties and states
Utility main or substations Local streets or highways Recreational sites and watersheds
Utility lines or recreational trails

Feature Attribute
Each layer has an associated attribute table. The attribute table for the States layer is shown below:

11. What type of feature is the States layer? Point, line or polygon?
The States layer is consisted of qualitative data, the feature type is polygon.

12. How can you tell? The attribute table contains polygon throughout every row matching with each row under State_Name.

13. The States layer contains a feature for each of the continental 48 states plus the District of Columbia. How many features are
in this feature class? 49 multiplied by 3 is 147. The three feature columns are names, population per sq. mi., and median age.

14. How many attribute tables are associated with the States layer? 3