Guides: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Data: Home

Introduction to GIS

Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, links spatial information (the where) and descriptive information (the what). It allows us to understand, share, and make predictions about the world around us. GIS is applicable in any field where there is data with a spatial component.

Further Reading about GIS

Getting to Know ArcGIS
A comprehensive introduction to the features and tools of ArcGIS for Desktop. Through hands-on exercises, readers will discover, use, make, and share maps with meaningful content.
The GIS 20
Demonstrates how to perform twenty essential GIS skills as indicated by 500 GIS practitioners. Written for professionals with no time for classroom training, this book can be treated as a weekly self-assignment or an as-needed reference. Each chapter offers a handy checklist of basic functions and steps covered in the text, as well as executive level summaries of how the functions are commonly applied for different types of analysis.
A Primer of GIS
This accessible text prepares students to understand and work with geographic information systems (GIS), offering a detailed introduction to essential theories, concepts, and skills.
Thinking about GIS
Detailing a planning model developed for designing data & technology systems that will meet the needs of any specific organization, this text is developed from decades of consulting experience in GIS applications.