This course teaches students about Open Source software for both desktop and internet GIS applications. Students will learn the concepts of Open Source software, and the leading desktop and web mapping Open Source software packages such as Quantum GIS (QGIS) and OpenStreetMap. Students will apply technology in lab exercises using real-world data.

Includes a syllabus, course documents, SCORM, lessons, and assignments.

Chapter 1: Digital Geography
1.1 What is a Toponymy?
1.2 Distance and Scale
1.3 Topography and Our National Parks

Chapter 2: Human Population
2.1 Population Dynamics
2.2 World Population
2.3 United States Demographics

Chapter 3: Migration
3.1 The Human Journey
3.2 Cradles of Civilization
3.3 Migration, On the Move
3.4 Syrian Migration Crisis

Chapter 4: Cultural Patterns and Processes
4.1 Language and Religion
4.2 Sacred Place - Sacred Space
4.3 The Crusades
4.4 The Underground Railroad
4.5 Native American Lands

Chapter 5: Political Geography
5.1 Political Borders, Boundaries, and Barriers
5.2 Governments Around the World
5.3 Gerrymandering

Chapter 6: Measuring Human Development
6.1 Comparing Country Development
6.2 Human Development Index
6.3 Globalization

Chapter 7: Food, Water, and Agriculture
7.1 Agricultural Patterns
7.2 Farming and the Rural Landscape
7.3 Down to the Last Drop

Chapter 8: City and Urban Landscapes
8.1: What's the Range?
8.2 Urban Areas and Edge Cities
8.3 Megacities

Essentials of Geographic Information Systems integrates key concepts behind the technology with practical concerns and real-world applications. Recognizing that many potential GIS users are nonspecialists or may only need a few maps, this book is designed to be accessible, pragmatic, and concise. Essentials of Geographic Information Systems also illustrates how GIS is used to ask questions, inform choices, and guide policy.

I. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
1.1: Geography - The Science of Where and Why
1.2 The Geographic Perspective
1.3 The Power of Maps
1.4 The Future of GIS
1.5 References

II. Data and Information
2.1 Data and Information
2.2 Metadata
2.3 Researching Data
2.4 References

III. Cartographic Principles
3.1 Color
3.2 Symbology
3.3 Cartographic Principles
3.4 Cartography - Past and Future
3.5: References

IV. Chapter 4: Representing Earth
4.1 Understanding Maps
4.2: Datums, Coordinate Systems, and Map Projections
4.3 Representing Geographic Features

V. Chapter 6: GIS Data Models
6.1: Vector Data Models
6.2: Raster Data Models
6.3: Satellite Imagery and Aerial Photography

The intent of this textbook is to update and build upon the body of knowledge that exists within the geographic discipline.

Chapter 1: Introduction to World Regional Geography
1.1 Geography as a Science
1.2 Location and Regions on Earth
1.3 Human Population and Culture
1.4 Globalization and Development
1.5 Careers in Geography
1.6 Summary
1.7 Attribution and References

Chapter 2: Europe
2.1 Physical Geography of the Region
2.2 History and Culture of the Region
2.3 Regions of Western Europe
2.4 Regions of Eastern Europe
2.5 Summary
2.6 Attributions and References

Chapter 3: Russia
3.1 Physical Geography of the Region
3.2 History and Culture of the Region
3.3 Regions of Russia
3.4 Summary
3.5 Attributions and References

Chapter 4: North America
4.1 Physical Geography of the Region
4.2 History and Culture of the Region
4.3 Regions of North America
4.4 Canada
4.5 United States of America
4.6 Summary
4.7 Attributions and References

Chapter 5: Middle America
5.1 Physical Geography of the Region
5.2 History and Culture of the Region
5.3 Mexico
5.4 Central America
5.5 The Caribbean
5.6: Summary
5.7 Attributions and References

Chapter 6: South America
6.1 Physical Geography of the Region
6.2 History and Culture of the Region
6.3 Urban North and Andean West
6.4 Brazil
6.5 The Southern Core
6.6 Summary
6.7 Attributions and References

Chapter 7: Subsaharan Africa
7.1 Physical Geography of the Region
7.2 History and Culture of the Region
7.3 West Africa
7.4 Central Africa
7.5 East Africa
7.6 Southern Africa
7.7 Attributions and References

Chapter 8: North Africa and Southwest Asia
8.1 Physical Geography of the Region
8.2 History and Culture of the Region
8.3 North Africa and the African Transition Zone
8.4 Israel and Its Neighbors
8.5 Arabian Peninsula
8.6 Iraq, Turkey, and Iran
8.7 Central Asia
8.8 Attributions and References

Chapter 9: South Asia
9.1 Peripheral States of South Asia
9.2 Pakistan and Bangladesh
9.3 India
9.4 Chapter Summary
9.5 Attributions and References

Chapter 10: East Asia
10.1 Physical Geography of the Region
10.2 History and Culture of the Region
10.3 China
10.4 China’s Periphery
10.5 Japan
10.6 North and South Korea
10.7 Attributions and References

Chapter 11: Southeast Asia
11.1 Physical Geography of the Region
11.2 History and Culture of the Region
11.3 Mainland Countries
11.4 The Insular Region
11.5 Chapter Summary
11.6 Attributions and References

I. Introduction to Geographic Science
II. Universe and Solar System
III. Planet Earth
IV. Tectonic Forces
V. Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition
VI. Fluvial Processes and Systems
VII. Oceans and Coastal Environments
VIII. Atmospheric Structure
IX. Weather Processes and Systems
X. Global Climates and Change
XI. Biomes and Ecosystems
XII. Environmental Disasters
XIII. Wildfires

I. Chapter 1: Digital Geography
1.1 What is a Toponymy?
1.2 Distance and Scale
1.3 Topography and Our National Parks
1.4: References

II. Chapter 2: Universe and Solar System

III. Chapter 3: Earth's Landforms
3.1 The Rock Cycle
3.2 Mining the World's Minerals
3.3 North American Landforms
3.4 References

IV. Chapter 4: Plate Tectonics
4.1 Cracked Tectonic Plates
4.2 Constructive Forces for Mountain Building
4.3 References

V. Chapter 5: Tectonic Forces
5.1 The Earth Moves
5.2 Tectonic Plate Types Effects on Volcanoes
5.3 References

VI. Chapter 6: Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition
6.1 Using Remote Sensing to Avoid a Disaster
6.2 References

VII. Chapter 7: Fluvial Processes and Systems
7.1 A River Runs Through It
7.2: Down to the Last Drop
7.3 References

VIII. Chapter 8: Oceans and Coastal Environments
8.1 Ocean Features and Landforms
8.2 Marine Debris

IX. Chapter 9: Atmospheric Processes and Systems
9.1 Fluid Earth: Winds and Ocean Currents

X. Chapter 10: Weather Processes and Systems
10.1 How's the Weather?
10.2 Tropical Storms

Chapter 1: Digital Geography
1.1: What is a toponym?
1.2 Distance and Scale
1.3: March of Time
1.4 References

Chapter 2: Europe
2.1 Medieval European Invasions
2.2 The Crusades
2.3 Early European Exploration
2.4 European Industrial Revolution
2.5 Europe Post World War I
2.6 International Cooperation
2.7 References

Chapter 3: Russia
3.1 Russian Expansion to the Sea
3.2 Hot Spots in a Cold War
3.3 Cold War 2.0

Chapter 4 North America
4.1: Original Thirteen Colonies
4.2: Native American Lands
4.3: A Nation Divided
4.4: The Underground Railroad
4.5: From Compromise to Conflict
4.6: What is Gerrymandering?
4.7: Your Huddled Masses

Chapter 5: Middle America
5.1 An Eye on Central America
5.2: North American Landforms
5.3: North American Trade

Chapter 6: South America
6.1 El Nino and La Nina
6.2 Tropical Deforestation
6.3 Latin American Independence

Chapter 7: Subsaharan Africa
7.1 The Human Journey
7.2 Africa's Political Borders
7.3 Africa's Independence from Colonial Powers
7.4 Slowing Malaria
7.5 Standards of Living
7.6 Natural Resource Consumption and Wealth
Case Study: Sudan and South Sudan

Chapter 8: Southwest Asia
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

Chapter 9: South Asia
9.1 Monsoonal Patterns

Chapter 10: East Asia
10.1: Geography of Pandemics and COVID-19