Geographic information systems (GIS) have become increasingly important in helping us understand complex social, economic, and natural dynamics where spatial components play a key role. The critical algorithms used in GIS, however, are notoriously difficult to both teach and understand, in part due to the lack of a coherent representation. GIS Algorithms attempts to address this problem by combining rigorous formal language with example case studies and student exercises.



Using Python code throughout, Xiao breaks the subject down into three fundamental areas:

• Geometric Algorithms


• Spatial Indexing


• Spatial Analysis and Modelling

With its comprehensive coverage of the many algorithms involved, GIS Algorithms is a key new textbook in this complex and critical area of geography.

• GIS ALGORITHMS-FRONT COVER 2
• GIS ALGORITHMS 3
• COPYRIGHT 6
• CONTENTS 9
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR 12
• PREFACE 13
• CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION 15
• PART I- GEOMETRIC ALGORITHMS 23
• CHAPTER 2- BASIC GEOMETRIC OPERATIONS 25
• CHAPTER 3- POLYGON OVERLAY 63
• PART II- SPATIAL INDEXING 83
• CHAPTER 4- INDEXING 85
• CHAPTER 5- K-D TREES 91
• CHAPTER 6- QUADTREES 113
• CHAPTER 7- INDEXING LINES AND POLYGONS 126