Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an integrated collection of computer software and data used to view and manage information about geographic features, such as cities, buildings, roads, and water.  GIS provides a framework for gathering and organizing spatial (geographic) data and relating information so that it can be displayed, inventoried, and analyzed. 

The basic use of GIS is to map locations; where a feature is located on earth.  GIS can be used to map quantities and densities to show population rates over a city, county, state, or nation.  GIS is also used to map change which in turn can help predict future needs.  GIS is often confused with GPS or Global Positioning System.  GPS technology uses the position of satellites to determine desired locations on the earth.  Today GIS and GPS tare used together to effectively map locations and features on the earth.  Cherokee County is currently using GIS and GPS to map and inventory data used for property assessments, emergency 9-1-1, emergency management, and conservation.  GIS will be implemented Countywide in the future to include all of Cherokee County's municipalities.

When GIS is served over the internet,
e-government becomes much more than an online way to help constituents fill out forms, register to vote, or pay their property taxes.  Internet mapping lets you combine geographic layers, such as zoning and tax-incentive areas; to see what parts of an area are best suited for establishing a new business.  With drop-down lists and check-boxes, we can verify whether rumors of a rising crime rate have any validity, how the demographics of an area are changing, where the jobs are moving, where the most environmentally hazardous parts of the area are located and so much more.  GIS is bringing new dimension and new energy to the Information Age.

Address of GIS office:
Drawer A
520 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012