空间数据仓库(SpatialDataWarehouse)是GIS技术和数据仓库技术相结合的产物, 它大大扩展了GIS的应用功能, 为逐渐兴起的全球变化和区域持续发展研究以及复杂的商业地理分析提供了强有力的支持。该文主要从空间数据仓库的起源、特征、体系结构、关键技术与应用等方面来探讨空间数据仓库这一全新的GIS应用。

As the combination of Data Warehouse and GIS, Spatial Data Warehouse is a large database designed to support the needs of decision making. For this purpose, it has some new features that are different from those of the traditional database, such as integrated, subject oriented, time and spatial variant. The emergence of Spatial Data Warehouse extends the scope of the applications of GIS and supports the research on global change, development of region and complex analysis of commerce. The system of Spatial Data Warehouse mainly includes four components. These are data source, tools of data transformation, warehouse, and analytical tools. All of these components involve some new and key technologies. We must find answers about how to define an efficient spatial data structure, integrate various data source, and find information from raw data. They are critical to the success of building spatial data warehouse.;From emergence system architecture to building an application of Spatial Data Warehouse, this article discusses this very new GIS application.