USE OF OPEN SOURCE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN COSTA RICA

This article discusses the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) free of charge in Costa Rica. It begins by establishing the advantages and benefits associated with the technology, followed by a description of the use of commercial software on the part of national institutions and the many fields in which it is used. The importance of GIS is discussed in land-use management and how institutions are managing that information. The article goes on to discuss the advantages of using open software and how it is being implemented by these institutions. The article ends with conclusions about the status of an open GIS and various activities that have been undertaken.