Geocoding is the process of converting addresses into geographic coordinates on a map. The definition of geocoding can be broken down into different components and the true definition means “to code the Earth's-provided geographic reference information so that it can be used for computer mapping.” Geocoding has been used ever since the 1960's when the U.S. Census Bureau used it to find ways of mapping information gathered all across the country. At first geocoding only allowed street addresses to be digitized, but soon the ability to show blocks and census tracts was soon developed. This demanded that block faces be recognized and this was done by digitizing the nodes representing intersections. This, in turn, meant that intersections had to …show more content…
During Hurricane Katrina, you heard a lot about the emergency responders that saved lives, but barely about the geographers. Once the storm made landfall, experts in GIS-assisted search and rescue crews reach more than 75 stranded survivors in Mississippi. This was very helpful because there were streets flooded, street signs were missing, and rescue crew members were unfamiliar with the Gulf Coast area. Shoreh Elhami, co-founder of GISCorps, said that since 2004, the organization's volunteers have responded to disasters such as the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. GISCorps have also provided humanitarian relief, sustainable development, economic development, health, and education in all parts of the world. The Corps had 20 volunteers on the ground in Mississippi less than 48 hours after Katrina's landfall. GISCorps is part of URISA, the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association. Elhami said more than 900 qualified volunteers have GIS experience and range from city and state government officials to academics to people in private industries. The GISCorps provided detailed information on road conditions, power outages, underground gas storage, and facilities with hazardous materials. Agencies from FEMA to the Red Cross to local utilities relied on the information that they constantly