This document discusses various key differences between concepts in geography information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). It defines important terms like latitude and longitude, isolines, digital elevation models, and coordinate systems. It also explains the differences between GIS data types like DEMs, DSMs, and DTMs as well as map projections like chorochromatic maps. Overall, the document provides a visual guide to understanding important conceptual differences between GIS and RS.

1. Pictorial
Differences:
GIS and RS
Compiled By: Atiqa Ijaz Khan

2. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 1 | 10
GIS AND RS CONCEPTS IN
PICTORIAL DIFFERENCES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Latitude and Longitude................................................................................................................................. 2
Hypsography............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Isarithm Maps ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Is-Series ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
HalfTone ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
D-Series ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Geo-Stationary and Geo-Synchronous orbits ............................................................................................... 5
Types of Orbits ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Azimuth and Altitude.................................................................................................................................... 7
Height and Elevation..................................................................................................................................... 8
2D + 2.5D + 3D ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Chorochromatic Maps................................................................................................................................... 9
References................................................................................................................................................... 10

3. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 2 | 10
1. LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE

4. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 3 | 10
2. ISARITHM MAPS
3. IS-SERIES
Isoline:
• Isometric
Lines
• Isopleth
Lines
A line connecting points of equal value on a map
is called isoline.
It is drawn according to known values, either
sampled or derived, that can occur at points.
Examples: of sampled quantities that can occur
at points are elevation above sea level, an actual
temperature, or an actual depth of precipitation.
Examples: of derived values that can occur at
points are the average of temperature over time
for one point or the ratio of smoggy days to clear
days for one point.
Isopleth Lines
(filled contours)
An isoline drawn according to known values that
can only be recorded for areas, not points.
Examples: include population per square mile or
the ratio of residential land to total land for an
area.

5. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 4 | 10
Isotherm Map
A line on a map connecting points of equal
temperature.
Isobar Map
A line on a weather map connecting places of
equal barometric pressure.
4. HALFTONE
5. D-SERIES
DEM (Digital Elevation
Model)
Or, Bare Earth Elevation
The representation of
continuous elevation values
over a topographic surface
by a regular array of z-
values, referenced to a
common vertical datum.
DEMs are typically used to
represent the bare-earth
terrain, void of vegetation
and manmade features.

6. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 5 | 10
DSM (Digital Surface
Model)
Or, First Return Surface
The representation of
continuous elevation values
over a topographic surface,
including vegetation and
man-made features, by a
regular array of z-values,
referenced to a common
datum. DSMs are typically
used to represent terrain
relief that includes the
elevations of the top surfaces
of buildings, trees, towers,
and other features elevated
above the bare earth.
DTM (Digital Terrain
Model)
By Stereo photogrammetry
A vector data set composed
of regularly spaced points
and natural features such as
ridges and break lines.
Non-continuous.
Not a surface.
6. GEO-STATIONARY AND GEO-SYNCHRONOUS ORBITS

7. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 6 | 10
7. TYPES OF ORBITS

8. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 7 | 10
8. AZIMUTH AND ALTITUDE
The altitude is the distance an object appears to be above the horizon. The angle is measured up from the
closest point on the horizon.
The azimuth of an object is the angular distance along the horizon to the location of the object. By
convention, azimuth is measured from north towards the east along the horizon

9. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 8 | 10
9. HEIGHT AND ELEVATION

10. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 9 | 10
10.2D + 2.5D + 3D
11.CHOROCHROMATIC MAPS
Chorochromatic maps (from Greek for 'area' and 'color; also, known as
area-class or qualitative area maps) map nominal data using various
colors, shades of black and white, or even patterns. Colors are mapped
according to data boundaries instead of trying to make locations fit
within existing political boundaries. Only nominal data should be
graphed, and there can be no indication of data hierarchy or order. [1]
Soil maps and biome maps are common examples of chorochromatic
maps.

11. Pictorial Differences: GIS and RS Monday, 20 May, 2019
P a g e 10 | 10
REFERENCES
1. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/hydrography-infographic.jpg
2. http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-54583/Facts-About-Lines-of-Latitude-Are-known-as-
parallels
3. http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-54584/Facts-about-Lines-of-Longitude-Are-known-as-
meridians
4. https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/fig1_global_histogram.png
5. http://support.esri.com/other-resources/gis-dictionary
6. http://gisgeography.com/dem-dsm-dtm-differences/
7. http://www.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro201/alt_az.htm