what is gis in geography

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system that captures, stores, analyzes, and maps all types of data related to positions on Earths surface. GIS technology applies geographic science with tools for understanding and collaboration, and it helps people reach a common goal: to gain actionable intelligence from all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there) . GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context, and the benefits include improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making. GIS technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, development planning, emergency response planning, and public health research, among other things. People use GIS to answer specific data-related questions, collect data, develop procedures, identify research questions, and define analysis tasks to run in GIS. There are two main types of GIS data: spatial data, which identifies the geographic location of features, and attribute data, which provides additional information about each feature.