A GIS is at the heart of a special kind of computer-based information system which is designed to handle data spatially referenced to to geographic locations on the Earth. From a computing perspective, a GIS may be viewed as a software system mounted on a hardware platform, supplied with appropriate data, for use by people. The software and hardware should match each other, and together support a range of user requirements. In this comprehensive and exciting book, Michael Worboys clearly sets out the principles of GIS in the general context of computing, setting and answering the fundamental question, "What is special about spatial information?"The book follows a path which begins with high-level conceptualizations of spatial information and then progresses downwards through computer-based spatial models and structures to the architectures and interfaces of the machines which support the GIS. It covers, inter alia, topics of current research interest - including 3D GIS, spatio-temporal GIS, and knowledge-based approaches to GIS. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography and references.Key Features:* One of our best-selling GIS titles Provides a solid computing approach to GIS Specially written for undergraduates and readers from all backgrounds * Deep technical knowledge is not required