An illustration of two people wearing safety vests and hard hats with city infrastructure and farmland in the background

Mapping the Nation

Guiding Good Governance

Discover inspiring stories about the positive impact of GIS on governance and public engagement.

Get a digital copy of Mapping the Nation

Explore stories from the latest volume of Mapping the Nation, published by Esri Press, that illustrate how a geographic approach guides important decisions across the country.

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Foreword and introduction
The cover of the Mapping the Nation

Guiding good governance

GIS enhances decision-making processes, ensuring that policies are effective.

Keeping communities safe

GIS is used to map damage from natural disasters, coordinate emergency services, and guide law enforcement.

Protecting and securing our nation

GIS is essential for defense and security, providing a shared map-based operational view that enhances situational awareness and collaboration among military units.

Planning and designing better communities

With GIS, planners can practice effective urban development by making complex data accessible and understandable, which enhances transparency and collaboration.

Building and operating modern infrastructure

GIS enhances infrastructure efficiency by providing detailed virtual models and digital maps that allow for comprehensive site analysis in both 2D and 3D.

Mitigating risk and increasing resilience

A geographic approach has helped revolutionize how communities mitigate extreme weather events by adopting resilience strategies.

Operating farms and timberlands more efficiently

GIS supports decision-making by mapping out complex issues and showing progress toward resilience and sustainability goals.

Safeguarding habitats and wildlife

GIS is instrumental in managing protected areas, guiding rewilding efforts, and assisting natural resource management.