| Until recently, to map economic features one would have to physically search through extensive data records in local repositories, translate those data into spatial units, (counties or municipalities) then build a database of all the necessary information to generate maps. The labor associated with this kind of undertaking made it cost prohibitive for most people other than national or regional economic professionals to compile. And, if attempted, the existing time lag in data reporting made the database basically a historical summary, rather than a current analysis of economic activity. With the continued exponential growth of computer technologies, data sharing, and internet infrastructure, an effective Geographic Information Systems (GIS) application for mapping economic features is possible for use by a broader sector of government entities.;The thesis presents a basic spatial economic analysis of Texas using GIS methods to produce economic maps that show the general trends in a simple and direct way was discussed and illustrated. The study states a fundamental understanding of regional and local economic changes across Texas' different economic sectors. From 1997--2002, the results of the study, descriptive statistics and maps, reveal an obvious pattern: Texas is moving from old 20 th century economic activities, primary and secondary, to new 21 st century economic activities, tertiary and quaternary. |
