Core GIS concepts

Working with geo-spatial data is complicated because you are dealing with mathematical models of the Earth's surface. In many ways, it is easy to think of the Earth as a sphere on which you can place your data. That might be easy, but it isn't accurate—&;the Earth is an oblate spheroid rather than a perfect sphere. This difference, as well as other mathematical complexities we won't get into here, means that representing points, lines, and areas on the surface of the Earth is a rather complicated process.

Let's take a look at some of the key GIS concepts you will become familiar with as you work with geo-spatial data.