Geographic Information Systems

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to geographic information systems. 2. Components of geographic information systems. 3. Capabilities of geographic information systems. 4. Working patterns of geographic information systems. 5. Evolution of geographic information systems. 6. Spacial analysis. 7. Map-making. 8. Geographic information systems data structures. 9. Digital maps. 10. Decision-making with geographic information systems.

"The present publication the Geographic Information Systems discusses somewhat in detail the system for managing spatial data and associated attributes.

Geographic information systems technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, asset management, development planning, cartography and route planning.

GIS was the world's first "system" and was an improvement over "mapping" applications as it provided capabilities for overlay, measurement, digitizing/scanning, supported a national coordinate system that spanned the continent, coded lines as "arcs" having a true embedded topology, and it stored the attribute and locational information in separate files.

The present book also discusses GIS as a computer system which is efficiently capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information. Practitioners also define GIS as including the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go into the system. It is used by government officials, natural resource persons and social analysts, and many others. Its applications include environmental research and model building, urban demographic studies and transportation analysis." (jacket)