GIS allows to link statistical data directly to the place of the earth where it was observed. GIS is used for data collection, production of various statistical analyses and presentation of outcomes in the diverse mapping forms. High potential of data integration with GIS technologies upgrades a power of statistical analysis comparing with traditional technologies. GIS software is available on the market for reasonable prices, can be installed on personal computers and in the near future will be a part of standard office software package available on any desktop. Its value is further increased through Internet and Intranet access and upgrading dissemination of the results.
Revolutionary developments are also in remote sensing techniques.
Although the technology is a driving force in the development of GIS statistical application, there remain many challenges to the integration of statistics and geography. Although there is a fairly strong technical potential in mapping technologies in both national and international statistical agencies, the meeting showed that methodology for the integration of statistics and geography is still in its infancy. The lack of a common spatial referencing system, insufficient quality of descriptive metadata and a low level of implementation of international spatial standards were weaknesses reported at the meeting. Comments about this story. All rights reserved.