What is GIS and what are its components?

GIS (Geographic Information System) is a computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data referenced to Earth. Components include: hardware (computers, GPS, digitizers), software (ArcGIS, QGIS for data processing and analysis), data (spatial and attribute data), people (analysts, users), and methods (procedures for data collection and analysis). GIS enables overlay analysis, spatial queries, and thematic mapping for planning, resource management, and infrastructure development.