Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

by Dr. Moulay Anwar Sounny-Slitine

Asking the Questions of "Where"

An interactive textbook exploring spatial thinking and analytical cartography.

Welcome to the Textbook

Open-access and comprehensive curriculum authored by Dr. Sounny. Explore foundational GIS and remote sensing, paired with hands-on labs and browser-based interactives.

Interactive-first: Each chapter includes tools, labs, and assessments. Content updates roll out continuously.

Part I: Foundations of GIS & Spatial Data

Chapter 00 Welcome to GIS Chapter 01 What is Spatial Data? Chapter 02 Map Elements & Design Chapter 03 Geodesy & Projections Chapter 04 GNSS and Positioning

Part II: Data Creation & Management

Chapter 05 Digitizing Vector Data Chapter 06 Georeferencing (Advanced) Chapter 07 Database Management Chapter 08 Map Output & Production

Part III: Remote Sensing & Earth Observation

Chapter 09 Foundations of RS Chapter 10 Spectral Analysis Chapter 11 Image Classification Chapter 12 LiDAR & 3D Analysis

Part IV: Spatial Analysis & Modeling

Chapter 13 Spatial Analysis (Intro) Chapter 14 Raster Analysis Chapter 15 Vector Spatial Analysis Chapter 16 Spatial Modeling

Part V: Applied GIS & Ethics

Chapter 17 Mobile GIS & Field Data Chapter 18 Storytelling with Maps Chapter 19 GIS Ethics & Critical GIS

Part VI: Research & Data Management

Chapter 20 Research Data Management Chapter 21 Research in GIS

Part VII: The Future of GIS

Chapter 22 Artificial Intelligence Chapter 23 VGI & NeoGeography Chapter 24 Lifelong Learning

Labs & Practical Exercises

Lab 00 Software Setup & Verification Lab Manual View All GIS Labs →
Dr. Moulay Anwar Sounny-Slitine
Textbook Author

Dr. Moulay Anwar Sounny-Slitine

Dr. Sounny has been using GIS since the year 2000, witnessing its remarkable evolution firsthand. When he began, the most popular GIS software was ArcGIS 3.2, and Google Maps didn't even exist yet. Over the past two and a half decades, he has witnessed the GIS Revolution—from Desktop GIS to Web GIS, and now preparing for the AI Revolution's impact on GIS.

Through all these technological transformations, one truth has remained constant: while the tools we use to do GIS have changed dramatically, the fundamentals of asking questions of "where" and conducting spatial analysis have not changed. Because of this enduring foundation, Dr. Sounny is writing this book to create spatial thinkers and to empower you with the geographic approach to analysis. Together, we are studying the Science of Where.

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