This landmark text captures and redefines the richness and diversity of GIS, in an accessible form. It presents a clearly-defined path to a world of learning about GIS, using the Internet and closely-couples reference sources. It is richly produced and illustrated unlike any other in the field, with over 300 full colour illustrations. Unique in several ways, it presents comprehensive treatments of: - Geographic Information Science - the scientific context to GIS, technical content and geographic implications - The real value of GIS - illustrated using real world applications. Treatments emphasize operational, tactical and strategic issues - The impact of Internet GIS on interdisciplinary science and society - The pivotal role of GIS as a business driver in the information age - including the role of GIS as a business asset and the operational dynamics of its use in practice Learning resources include: - Links to ESRI's Virtual Campus which includes modules specially written to accompany the book (http://campus.esri.com) - Instructor's Manual to assist in the planning and use of this text in a variety of academic environments (http://www wiley.co.uk/gis) - Free on-line access to relevant chapters of the first edition of the two-volume 'Big Book 1' (http://www wiley. co.uk/gis) - Questions for further study at the end of each chapter (http://www wiley.co.uk/gis) - Powerpoint slides to assist teaching