Getting started with the ArcGIS API for Python in Google Colab

🌍 🌐 Hi, I’m Shashwot, an intern at Esri! During my time as an Esri intern, I started a fascinating project that combined my love of maps with the power of Python. In this guide, I’d like to show you how we can use the ArcGIS API for Python in Google Colab to explore vast areas of geographic information systems (GIS). Whether you’re looking at urban planning, monitoring environmental change, or tracking historical land use, this tutorial will open the door to mastering spatial analysis with cutting-edge tools—all from your browser!

Google Colab simplifies the setup process by not requiring any local installations and providing free access to powerful computing resources, including GPUs. This makes it an ideal platform for running complex GIS operations without hardware limitations. While Google Colab is a great platform for many reasons, there are some limitations to be aware of when using it with the ArcGIS API for Python. One major limitation is the current version of the map widget, which does not support interactive GIS functionality as seamlessly as other notebooks.

Below is a snapshot from one of my Google Colab notebooks showing spatial analysis in action. This image gives a glimpse of what you can achieve by following our step-by-step guide.

The journey began with setting up my tools in the cloud. Installing the ArcGIS API for Python in a Google Colab notebook was my first step into the GIS world. This surprisingly straightforward process involved only a few lines of code. It’s easier than you think and you can access a world of geographic data in no time!

📹 Watch and learn: Check out our step-by-step video to get set up in minutes! Don’t forget, you can always refer to the official setup guide here.

As part of my learning curve, I was introduced to the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World – a massive collection of geographic information. It was like entering a giant library where there were no books, but data sets on everything from weather patterns to economic indicators. I’ll show you how to use this resource, using real-time earthquake data as an example to demonstrate the practical applications of GIS.

📹 See and learn Follow us as we explore the Living Atlas. Full documentation on how to access the content is available in the ArcGIS for Python guide. And here’s a video showing how to access it via Google Collab.

Now let’s create our masterpiece – performing spatial analysis using the robust tools provided by ArcGIS Web Services. Using ArcGIS Web Services in Colab, we will tackle a spatial feature analysis task. This hands-on exercise will show you how to apply these tools to real-world scenarios and enhance your projects with spatial intelligence.

🎥 See and learn: See our analysis in action and follow our video tutorial. For a comprehensive list of tutorials, see Spatial Analysis Tutorials. We’ve integrated this Summarize data analysis into a Colab demo.

You’ve just scratched the surface of what’s possible with the ArcGIS API for Python and Google Colab. Ready to go even further? Dive into the comprehensive DevSummit 2024 sessions, accessible via the Esri DevSummit 2024 ArcGIS API for Python playlist. Don’t miss the feature analysis tutorials for hands-on learning.

🎤 Now it’s your turn! We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below the videos or message us on social media. Your feedback is the initiator of our next big ideas!