Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer tools that link information to geographic locations. There are two main types of maps used in GIS: natural maps which depict physical features like soil and climate, and cultural maps which show human-made features like infrastructure and political boundaries. GIS has several advantages like its ability to cover large areas, handle large amounts of data, and allow for unlimited editing. GIS sees wide application in fields like scientific research, resource management, and criminology by integrating location data with other information. The key elements of a GIS include data from sources like remote sensing, maps and land records, hardware components, software programs, and GIS users.