ArcGIS & Arc Map

 1) ArcGIS comes with ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, ArcMap, ArcReader, and ArcScene.  We will mostly be using ArcMap and ArcCatalog.

2) It would be better to perform most data analysis and layer symbolization in data view because data view is more detailed.  Layout view is an overview; data view contains more information, and displays it more clearly.

3) Ways to obtain help for ArcGIS desktop include searching the ArcGIS Desktop Help datatabase and/or clicking the "What's This?" icon.

4) Attributes are linked to geographic features in the attribute tables for each map layer.

5) The file extension for an ArcMap document is .mxd.

6) One way to zoom in/out is to click on Zoom Data under View.  Another way to zoom in/out is to click on the zoom in/out buttons on the toolbar.

7) Three operations available in the context menu include Copy, Remove, and Open Attribute Table.

8)  If a check box next to a layer in the table of contents is gray, then that layer is scale-dependent.  It is necessary to zoom in to see the layer.

9) A large-scale map represents a small area, because it has a relatively large map-distance to actual-distance ratio.  A city map would be a large-scale map.  A small-scale map represents a large area, because it has a relatively large map distance to actual-distance ratio.  A world map would be a small-scale map.

10) A feature is a geographic object (such as a city) displayed in a layer.  A surface us a single, continuous expanse (such as an ocean) in a layer.

11) It is not possible to create project criteria using a GIS.

12) The minimum elevation of a city Earhart visited was 0 feet, or sea level (in New Orleans).  The maximum elevation was 1,045 feet (in Tucson).  I determined these values by examining the attribute table of the "Cities Earhart Visited" layer.

13) The approximate distance from Dakar to Assab is 6,901 miles.  To figure out the approximate distance, connect the points using the measure tool, or add the relevant distances in the attribute table.

14) It is possible to figure out the names of the cities on the map by hovering over them with the mouse arrow, or by clicking on them with the identification tool.