Geographic Information Systems: A Glossary Charles R. Blinn, Lloyd P. Queen and Les W. Maki

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Introduction

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is expanding today as its cost decreases and its capability increases. Because GIS is a technical tool, it employs a specialized terminology. This glossary defines many terms for new and prospective users of GIS. No attempt is made to define commonly used computer-processing terms or terms associated with other types of information systems. A list of suggested references at the end of the glossary will direct the reader to additional sources of information on GIS terminology.

This publication, which defines many of the terms associated with GIS, is one part of a three-part series. Another publication, "The Basics of Geographic Information Systems" (Queen et al. 1993), provides a basic understanding of GIS. The last piece in the series, "Introduction to Data Analysis Using Geographic Information Systems" (Falbo et al. 1991), describes analysis functions in detail.

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