What does GIS (Geographic Information System) do?

• A. A computer-based system to collect, organize, manage, analyze and display the geographical locations and the descriptions of objects of interest.
• B. A simple location-based game.
• C. A database of population statistics only.
• D. A paper atlas with no digital data.

Answer: (A)

GIS is a computer-based system that collects, organizes, manages, analyzes, and displays information about where things are and what they are like. It combines geographic locations with descriptions of objects of interest so you can build maps with multiple layers, run spatial analyses (such as finding hotspots, measuring distances, or identifying overlaps), and visualize patterns across space. This makes it a powerful tool for urban planning, environmental monitoring, health, transportation, and many other fields. The other options miss essential aspects: a simple location-based game isn’t about analyzing or mapping real-world data; a database of population statistics alone lacks spatial context and mapping capabilities; and a paper atlas is static and non-digital, unable to perform dynamic analysis or layered visualization.