The second edition of this text builds on the strengths of the first, taking into account recent advances in GIS development and major new socio-economic datasets including new census data. The author presents an accessible introduction to the history, principles and techniques of GIS, with a focus on socio-economic applications. This non-technical overview of the collection, input, storage, manipulation and output of data addresses the needs of students and professionals who must understand and use GIS for the first time.