GIS is a system of computer software, hardware, data, and personnel combined to help, manipulate, analyze, and present information that is tied to a geographic location. For additional general information about GIS, go to the ESRI Online GIS Dictionary.
How can I open a Citrix account?
As a standard, DC GIS utilizes software by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). DC GIS and related agencies utilize a variety of ESRI GIS software, including ArcInfo 8.3, ArcView 3.2, ArcView 8.3, ArcIMS, and ArcSDE. For the DC Atlas, Emergency Information Center, and DC Guide, ArcIMS utilizes ArcSDE on an Oracle Platform.
DC GIS maintains and provides data in the ESRI format to ensure that all District agencies can use this data by adhering to this standard. All spatial data found at the DC Atlas Data Library are available in ESRI shape file format, with Federal Geographic Data Committee
(FGDC) compliant metadata. See the
DC GIS Data Center for more information.
DC GIS utilizes a .NET framework and Windows 2000 operating system for both desktop PCs and servers.
Select
Geospatial Data Services in the left sidebar.
This gives you the categories of data.
Clicking on the L button takes you to the list of map layers for that category.
You can view the summary or detailed metadata for that map layer, and then click the Download button to download the data.
I’m having trouble using the DC Atlas. How do I get help?
Be sure to take the Tour before you start using the DC Atlas. The link for the Tour is on the upper left side of the page. It explains each feature in the Atlas.
The Secret Service has required that an area surrounding the White House, Capitol, and Naval Observatory not be shown in certain planimetric map layers, and be shown at lower resolution in the orthophotographs.
The original orthophotos were done using Federal procurement guidelines. At that time, it appeared that the US would move toward the metric system more quickly than it has. This only affects the elevation contours; everything else can be measured in feet as well as in meters. The next set of contours will be in feet.
