A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing spatial data through visualization with maps and scenes. GIS integrates location data with attribute data to support applications in fields like urban planning, transportation, natural resource management, and more. Georeferencing relates the internal coordinates of maps or images to real-world geographic coordinates. Key GIS components include hardware, software, data, people, and methods. Layer stacking combines multiple raster images while maintaining spatial resolution. Topology studies properties preserved under deformations like twisting and describes common network configurations. Shapefiles store vector data including location, shape, and attributes of geographic features. Coordinate systems use numbers to uniquely define positions on a surface.