| This tutorial topic provides
a definition of geographic information systems (GIS) with links to more in-depth
information. It will introduce the concept of GIS to you. GIS can be thought of
as the high-tech equivalent of a conventional paper map. They are computer systems
capable of holding and using data describing places on the earth's surface. GIS
provides the facility to analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth.
A more formal definition taken from here summarizes GIS as:
An information system that is designed to work with data referenced by spatial or
geographic coordinates. In other words, a GIS is both a database system with
specific capabilities for spatially-referenced data, as well as a set of operations for
working [analysis] with the data. (Star and Estes, 1990)
If you would like a more detailed description of GIS, visit the following sites:
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