Chapter 1. GIS as a tool

This chapter covers

  • What a geographic information system (GIS) is and how it’s used
  • The significance of spatial applications
  • Trends for pros and opportunities for beginners
  • Parts of a GIS web application

Where we are, and our understanding of location, has an impact on our daily lives. Walk around almost any public space and you’ll see people staring at their smartphones, updating their statuses, or looking for the closest taco joint. You may have shopped for a house online, and been able to view homes in your area and even see nearby schools. When shopping for a car online, you can usually limit the search to within so many miles of a zip code. Formerly, a paper map book was essential in every vehicle, but today, ...

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