Geographic information systems demystified - Galati, Stephen R. (Artech House, 2006)
Master and use copy. Digital master created according to Benchmark for Faithful Digital Reproductions of Monographs and Serials, Version 1. Digital Library Federation, December 2002
Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-258) and index
Geographic Information Systems Demystified; Contents vii; Preface xv; Acknowledgments xvii; Introduction xix; Part I: What Is a Geographic Information System? 1; 1 How Does a GIS Work? 3; 2 Why Use a GIS? 15; 3 The Structure of Geographic Data 29; 4 Geospatial Metadata 41; Part II: Geodesy, Earth Models, and Coordinate Systems; 5 The Basics of Geodesy and Scale 61; 6 The Ellipsoid 73; 7 The Horizontal Datum 85; 8 The Vertical Datum 103; 9 The Map Projection 113; 10 The Coordinate System 139; Part III: GIS Applications and Environments; 11 Thematic Mapping 155
Geographic information systems (GIS) ? a central repository of geographic data collected from various sources, including satellites and GPS - is emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising high-tech fields. Today, many technical, managerial, engineering, and academic positions require GIS skills, and this easy-to-understand resource answers the call. The book examines and explains all of the critical GIS concepts in a clear voice and in a consistent structure. It provides technical and non-technical professionals, regardless of their background, with an accessible and practical guide