• By Carlo Frate
• Posted Monday, October 31, 2011

Forsyth GIS Day 2011 & Geography Awareness Week

The National Geographic Society has sponsored Geography Awareness Week since 1987 to promote geographic literacy in schools, communities and organizations, with a focus on the education of children. GIS Day is held on the Wednesday during Geography Awareness Week.

Geography touches everyone’s life in some way; nearly anything you can think of has some geographical component. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are tools that allow us to better understand, interpret and visualize patterns, relationships and trends in data by examining them geographically.

You may not realize it, but chances are you use or benefit from GIS every day. If you’ve ever gotten directions to a new restaurant online, or used the GPS in your car or on your smartphone to get there, then you’ve had experience with GIS. From these simple applications to complex systems of transportation logistics, watershed modeling and emergency response, GIS has become an integral part of our lives.

The Forsyth Geographic Information Office was recently created to manage and coordinate the use of GIS by departments within the county and cities. We are inviting all to join us in this event – one of many celebrated across the globe – where GIS users from across the county and state will present examples of how they employ GIS.

Informational maps, posters and computer applications will be on display throughout the week, and on Wednesday the event’s participants will be on-site to discuss, educate and enlighten.

Geography Awareness Week: November 14 – 18
Forsyth GIS Day 2011: Wednesday, November 16, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem