Is this copied?

The results of a recent survey carried out in the U.S. revealed the fact that 20% of Americans believe that Sudan is in Asia, when it actually is the largest country in Africa. One third of young adults think that if it is noon in New York then it must be noon in Los Angeles too. Half of young Americans, I kid you not, can’t find New York on a map. Moreover, only 37% of them can’t find Iraq, although U.S. troops have been there since 2003. Many more can’t locate Afghanistan. These issues have raised concern both in mass-media and the government. Emily Stover DeRocco, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Labor stated that across the country, tens of thousands of geospatial workers are needed to fill positions that are going begging. The 21st century begins to stress out the importance of having hi-tech geographical tools (a.k.a. GIS) and the necessary general knowledge in this domain.

But what exactly is GIS? Since its development in 1964 by the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources of Canada, humanity has greatly benefited from GIS. Geographic Information Systems are used for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data referring to earth. The data is then used to create interactive imagery of different areas. One basic example of the usefulness of a GIS gadget is the following. Think of a certain area which has been thoroughly scanned by a satellite. The information has been transferred to a computer and a 3D map has been created, so as to have a topographical image. Meanwhile someone develops software to find out how any given area will be like in a number of years depending on the recent evolution of the land. If the software and the topographical data are linked together, it is easy to predict the future outline of any region. Another example of the benefits we gain from GIS technology is the GPS (Global Positioning System). Now we all know how useful they can be when you’re visiting your relatives who have recently moved to another town and you’re completely unfamiliar with it. But what is more, GIS developments have helped us throughout the 80s and 90s in scientific investigations, criminology, history and cartography.

In recent years, more and more people have realized the positive effects of these Geographic Information Systems. As one of the members of the National Geographic Society said, “GIS are really leading geography into a second Renaissance. The level of geographic understanding and literacy is still extremely poor.” GIS training courses have been included in university studies and all over the world governments are implementing and adapting this technology to their needs. No sooner had the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture signed a contract with ESRI Nederland B.V. to expand its GIS implementation for various agricultural programs such as managing rural areas and subsidy control for farmers, than the improvements started to be seen. In brief, it really works!

So what more is there be said about GIS? Well, a lot more! ESRI organize a GIS Day each year on November 14 to present the new developments to the general public. Their purpose is to create geographic awareness. And that is exactly what GIS can do in the long run!Is this copied?
Yes from the New York Times Issue XXI dated September 14, 2009Is this copied?
Parts seem to be, depending on who was supposed to write it and in what style. There's a few typos, but the style makes it sound as though it is copied.Is this copied?
My guess - YES!