GIS

geographic information system (GIS)

Computerized system that relates and displays data collected from a geographic entity in the form of a map. The ability of GIS to overlay existing data with new information and display it in colour on a computer screen is used primarily to conduct analyses and make decisions related to geology, ecology, land use, demographics, transportation, and other domains, most of which relate to the human use of the physical environment. Through the process of geocoding, geographic data from a database is converted into images in the form of maps.

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GIS

(1) (Geographic Information System) An information system that deals with spatial information. Often called "mapping software," it links attributes and characteristics of an area to its geographic location. It is used in a variety of applications, including exploration, demographics, dispatching, tracking and map making. Using satellites and aerial photography, the U.S. Geological Survey and other organizations have developed digital maps of most of the world. Unlike paper maps, digital maps can be combined with layers of information. See digital elevation model and GIS glossary.

(2) (Generalized Information System) An early IBM mainframe query and data manipulation language.

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GIS - Geographical Information System