Version: 0.10.0

Quantum GIS (QGIS) is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows. QGIS supports vector, raster, and database formats. QGIS is licensed under the GNU General Public License. QGIS lets you browse and create map data on your computer. It supports many common spatial data formats (e.g. ESRI ShapeFile, geotiff). QGIS supports plugins to do things like display tracks from your GPS. QGIS is Open Source software and its free of cost. 

The major features include:

1. view and overlay vector and raster data in different formats and projections without conversion to an internal or common format. Supported formats include:
   • spatially-enabled PostgreSQL tables using PostGIS,
   • most* vector formats supported by the OGR library, including ESRI shapefiles, MapInfo, SDTS and GML.
   • all raster formats supported by the GDAL library, such as digital elevation models, aerial photography or landsat imagery,
   • GRASS mapsets,
   • online spatial data served as OGC-compliant WMS or WFS;
2. create maps and interactively explore spatial data with a friendly graphical user interface. The many helpful tools available in the GUI include:
   • on the fly projection,
   • map composer,
   • overview panel,
   • spatial bookmarks,
   • identify/select features,
   • edit/view/search attributes,
   • feature labeling,
   • change vector and raster symbology,
   • add a graticule layer,
   • decorate your map with a north arrow, scale bar and copyright label,
   • save and restore projects;
3. create, edit and export spatial data using:
   • digitizing tools for GRASS and shapefile formats,
   • the georeferencer plugin,
   • GPS tools to import and export GPX format, convert other GPS formats to GPX, or down/upload directly to a GPS unit;
4. perform spatial analysis using the buffer tool (PostGIS only) or the integrated GRASS tools, including:
   • map algebra,
   • terrain analysis,
   • hydrologic modeling,
   • network analysis,
   • and many others;
5. publish your map on the internet using the export to Mapfile capability (requires a webserver with UMN MapServer installed);
6. adapt Quantum GIS to your special needs through the extensible plugin architecture.

*OGR-supported database formats are not yet supported in QGIS.

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