Mikko Vastaranta, Ninni Saarinen, Tuomas Yrttimaa, Timo Tokola

Here, we define a geoinformation system (GIS) as a system, which is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present geospatial data. In university education, we study geoinformation science that is the science underlying geographic concepts, applications, and systems. Geoinformation science is dedicated to advancing our understanding of geographic processes and spatial relationships through improved theory, methods, technology, and data. Since early days of GIS, use of geospatial data and analyses have drastically changed with increased pace during the last 20 years. Geospatial data and analyses are omnipresent in our information societies and there is an increasing need to understand the role and use of expanding geospatial data in our societies. Drivers of the development include enhanced global navigation satellite systems, miniaturization of sensors, three-dimensional remote sensing, open data, and software policies. Although the development in the use of geospatial data and analyses has been rapid, still most of the core concepts, principles, theories, methods, and algorithms of geoinformation science are not out-dated, merely those are applied with geospatial data of improved quality and larger coverage.