Geographical targeting for poverty alleviation : Methodology and applications

Economists have recently come to appreciate the fundamental importance of geographical factors in economic analysis, and a surge of technological innovations-particularly in satellite imagery - has helped to create powerful new tools such as geographical information systems (GIS) to assist them in their efforts. Using data generated by such computer-based systems, social scientists can gain in better understanding of the spatial dimensions of economic activities, decisions and characteristics. The studies gathered in Geographical Targeting for Poverty Alleviation provide an introduction to the concepts of geographical information systems and a sample of their different applications to spatial analysis. Economists and social scientists concerned with development issues and anyone interested in the way that economic forces operate in geography will find this work particularly useful.