The new edition has been substantially revised and updated to include coverage of the latest advances in GIS technology and applications (particularly web-based and mobile applications) and to provide pointers to recent research and publications. --

Geographical Information Systems, Three Volume Set is a computer system used to capture, store, analyze and display information related to positions on the Earth’s surface. It has the ability to show multiple types of information on multiple geographical locations in a single map, enabling users to assess patterns and relationships between different information points, a crucial component for multiple aspects of modern life and industry. This 3-volumes reference provides an up-to date account of this growing discipline through in-depth reviews authored by leading experts in the field. VOLUME EDITORS Thomas J. Cova The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States Ming-Hsiang Tsou San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States Georg Bareth University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Chunqiao Song University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States Yan Song University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States Kai Cao National University of Singapore, Singapore Elisabete A. Silva University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Covers a rapidly expanding discipline, providing readers with a detailed overview of all aspects of geographic information systems, principles and applications Emphasizes the practical, socioeconomic applications of GIS Provides readers with a reliable, one-stop comprehensive guide, saving them time in searching for the information they need from different sources

Geographic information systems (GIS)--a central repository of geographic data collected from various sources, including satellites and GPS--is emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising high-tech fields. This easy-to-understand resource provides technical and nontechnical professionals, regardless of their background, with an accessible and practical guide to important GIS know-how.

This best-selling non-technical, reader-friendly introduction to GIS makes the complexity of this rapidly growing high-tech field accessible to beginners. It uses a “learn-by-seeing” approach that features clear, simple explanations, an abundance of illustrations and photos, and generic practice labs for use with any GIS software.What Is a GIS? GIS's Roots in Cartography. Maps as Numbers. Getting the Map into the Computer. What Is Where? Why Is It There? Making Maps with GIS. How to Pick a GIS. GIS in Action. The Future of GIS.For anyone interested in a hands-on introduction to Geographic Information Systems.

Even though Geographic Information Systems GIS have been available for over 20 years, they have only recently become accessible to geographers and others as a useful tool in spacial analysis. This book assembles a balanced sample of written works covering important aspects of the basic principles of GIS and selected examples of applications.