The information zone system

Spatial data is complex data composed of hundreds or thousands of attribute/value pairs that define logical, physical, and abstract geographic features. It has traditionally been available to researchers and other users as paper maps, but it is now commonplace to collect and distribute spatial data as structured graphical elements (e.g., vectors) and their associated relational data sets, or as scanned images (when no analysis is necessary). Even though vast stores of spatial data exist, awareness of and access to these data sets, images, and related documents remain tremendous problems [2]. This situation is due in part to the lack of integration between geographic information systems (GIS), storage management, and network tools. It also is due to the dependence on text-based menus and queries to support access. Text-based access is inconsistent for many spatial data users since users conceptualize and data is organized by geographic location [1].

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