This document provides an overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It begins by defining GIS as a system for capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data. It notes that GIS integrates spatial data from sources like GPS and remote sensing. The document then discusses key GIS concepts like layers, vector and raster data models, and the importance of attributes, projections, and other metadata. Examples of common GIS applications are provided across various domains like urban planning, environmental management, and business. The major GIS software vendors are also outlined.