A geographic information system (GIS) is an integrated computer system that allows the storage, mapping, manipulation, and analysis of geographic or spatial data. It can present many different layers of information, all of which may be turned on or off depending on the user's needs. Several components are required for a GIS to function properly. A GIS typically consists of computer hardware, software, and the people operating the system, as well as the spatial or geographic data being manipulated.

A GIS works by storing a number of different data sets that each have geographical references. The various data for any given geographic location can then be integrated based on the user's needs. A powerful feature of GIS is that data from different sources may be combined into the same database and integrated in order to make it useful for several purposes. The...