Designed to make the complexity of this rapidly growing high-tech field accessible to beginners, this book provides a basic, non-technical and user-friendly introduction to GIS. It features clear, simple explanations, an abundance of illustrations and photos, extensive chapter-end study aids, and generic laboratory assignments for use with any GIS software. The book clearly links theory and practice, and helps link the material to the real world by providing interviews with practicing GIS professionals. GIS Analysts and Cartographers.