GIS tasks: Answering questions

A geographic information system is used to find answers to questions that are related to space. It can be used to explore the relationships between data distributed over an area, it can search for and identify patterns that may not be apparent, and it makes it possible to link or analyze information that is difficult to associate through any other means. Thus, a GIS can use combinations of mapped variables to build and analyze new variables and present them in an understandable way. A GIS can reveal important new information that leads to better understanding of complex circumstances and thus improves decision-making.
It is typically used to answer questions similar to the following:

• Locations- What is at a given location or where is a specific item located?
  Where can one find oak trees in Basel-Land?
• Trends - What has changed since ... ?
  How has the forest cover changed since 1900 in Graubünden?
• Patterns - What spatial patterns exist?
  How many people live closer than 200m from a mobile antenna in Zürich?
• Networks – How to get to ... ?
  What is the fastest way from Bern to Lausanne via Bulle by car?
• Modeling – How would it happen?
  How would a forest fire extend from Leuk?
• Decisions - What should one do if ... ?
  If Grand Dixence burst, which areas would be affected by the water?