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8
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
We suggest that geographical information systems (GIS) are either big data
situations or have the potential to become a big data tool. We know from
global positioning system (GPS) use that a lot of data can be compressed
and used in relatively small memory. However, most GPS use is regional,
which cuts down on some of the data storage requirements. Even if we
blanket the globe with degree-minute-second information for latitude and
longitude, we still may not be looking at a true big data problem.
Our calculations appear in Table8.1. e use of degrees is relatively triv-
ial and, most likely, not too usef ...