What does the symbol ∩ signify in GIS?

In Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the symbol ∩ represents the concept of intersection. This operation is crucial for spatial analysis as it allows users to identify the common area shared by two or more datasets. When you perform an intersection operation, the resulting dataset contains only the features that are present in both datasets involved in the analysis.

For example, if you have two layers—one representing areas of high elevation and another representing protected park land—the intersection would produce a new layer that highlights only the areas that are both high elevation and designated as protected park land. This operation is essential for various tasks, such as determining overlaps in land use planning, environmental impact assessments, and resource management.

Using the intersection operation enables analysts and decision-makers to focus their efforts on specific geographic areas that meet multiple criteria and to derive meaningful insights from the geographic data being analyzed.