Defining GIS
A “geographic information system” (GIS) is a computer-based tool that allows you to create, manipulate, analyze, store and display information based on its location. GIS makes it possible to integrate different kinds of geographic information, such as digital maps, aerial photographs, satellite images and global positioning system data (GPS), along with associated tabular database information (e.g., ‘attributes' or characteristics about geographic features).
Using GIS, you can incorporate all of this information into a single system and execute common database operations. For example, GIS allows you to perform statistical analysis or spatial queries, to explore ‘what-if' scenarios, and to create predictive models. For example, GIS can help answer questions such as: