gvSIG

gvSIG, geographic information system (GIS), is a desktop application designed for capturing, storing, handling, analyzing and deploying any kind of referenced geographic information in order to solve complex management and planning problems. gvSIG is known for having a user-friendly interface, being able to access the most common formats, both vector and raster ones. It features a wide range of tools for working with geographic-like information (query tools, layout creation, geoprocessing, networks, etc.). Integrating in the same view both local (files, databases) and remote data through OGC standards. Including a plugin system which allows to easily extend the application or to develop tailor-made solutions. Being open source software under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allows its free use, distribution, study and improvement. Being available in several languages: Spanish, English UK, English USA, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazilian, Russian, Chinese, Serbian, Swahili, Turkish, Czech, Polish, Romanian, Greek, Basque, Valencian/Catalan, Galician. Being developed using Java, and being available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X platforms

==Nomenclature== gvSIG was initially developed for the Generalitat Valenciana (gv), an institution of the self-governed autonomous community of Valencia. This explains the abbreviation gvSIG for which the last three letters stands for ''Sistema d'informació geogràfica (SIG)'', or GIS in English.