GIS, Mapping, and Geospatial Data

ArcGIS Pro is a powerful, proprietary desktop GIS software that offers tools for managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. 

The Center for Geographic Analysis manages the license to this software which permits any Harvard affiliate to create ArcGIS Online accounts. For guidance on creating an account and installing ArcGIS Pro, please visit the GSD Guide to Installing ArcGIS or the Harvard Center for Geographic Analysis (CGA) Instructions for more information.

NOTE:

• Many PCs in the basement level of the Frances Loeb Library have ArcGIS Pro, including the machine in The Digital Research Studio Space. To find more places on campus where you can access ArcGIS Pro, please visit the ARCGIS Pro: Access at Harvard Guide in the GIS & Spatial Data: Guides, Tutorials, and Project Examples from Harvard Map Collection guide. 

QGIS is free and open-source GIS software that enables viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data. QGIS supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

For guidance on downloading QGIS, please visit the QGIS Software: Download and Installation Tutorial in the GIS & Spatial Data: Guides, Tutorials, and Project Examples from Harvard Map Collection guide for more information. 

NOTE:

• QGIS offers A Gentle Introduction to GIS
• The GIS & Spatial Data: Guides, Tutorials, and Project Examples from the Harvard Map Collection guide provides step-by-step tutorials for QGIS, including vectorizing data from historic maps, adding tabular data, and adjusting a layer's opacity.