A GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing,
and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data
identified according to location. Practitioners also define a GIS as
including the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go
into the system. Geographic information system (GIS) technology can be
used for scientific investigations, resource management, and development
planning. For example, a GIS might allow emergency planners to easily
calculate emergency response times in the event of a natural disaster,
or a GIS might be used to find wetlands that need protection from
pollution.