Final answer:
A Geographic Information System (GIS) aids decision-making by analyzing spatial data and patterns, providing insights into optimal business locations, crime mapping, urban planning, and environmental management.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Geographic Information System (GIS) assists geographic professionals and political leaders in making decisions by analyzing spatial data and patterns. GIS integrates various maps and data layers, such as population distribution, transportation systems, and geographical features, to help identify the best locations for businesses or to plan urban development. For example, in the realm of public safety, crime analysts use GIS for crime mapping, combining crime data with demographic and environmental information to guide law enforcement strategies. Additionally, GIS is broadly utilized in urban planning, environmental management, and disaster response to visualize complex spatial relationships and make more informed decisions.