ABSTRACT
Geographic information systems (GIS) are a multimillion dollar industry which is growing very rapidly at the present time. The United Kingdom (UK) stands out from all the other countries with respect to digital data availability given that its national mapping agency, the Ordnance Survey, provides a comprehensive mapping service for both large- and small-scale maps. A general distinction can be made between urban, especially large urban, and rural areas with respect to the extent of GIS diffusion. The main exceptions are Italy, Portugal and to some extent the UK. In Italy and Portugal, land-use planning in some form appears to be the main GIS application. The main differences between countries reflect variations in the fundamental structures of local government and the nature of the main professional cultures of those involved in the GIS implementation and management process. There are also important differences between countries with respect to the relationship between local government and the private sector.
