空间位置不仅仅是地理学和区域科学的核心，在社会科学还有诸如生态学等自然科学领域，人们越来越关注研究对象的空间维度，将空间分析方法和技术（如地理信息系统，全球定位系统，遥感，空间统计和空间经济学）运用到实际工作中。本书分为两部分，共五章。第一部分, 着重讲述面数据分析，这里讲的面可以是规则网格，如像元组成的遥感影像，也可以是一组不规则的多边形，如社会经济统计单元。第二部分，讲述空间相互作用数据，这种数据也被称为“源—汇流”，其内容与交通规划、移民、旅游、购物行为、货运物流甚至于信息和知识的转移等方面研究相关。本书的读者对象是涉及空间数据分析的学者，特别是区域科学领域。

The availability of spatial databases and widespread use of geographic information systems has stimulated increasing interest in the analysis and modelling of spatial data. Spatial data analysis focuses on detecting patterns, and on exploring and modelling relationships between them in order to understand the processes responsible for their emergence. In this way, the role of space is emphasised , and our understanding of the working and representation of space, spatial patterns, and processes is enhanced. In applied research, the recognition of the spatial dimension often yields different and more meaningful results and helps to avoid erroneous conclusions. This book aims to provide an introduction into spatial data analysis to graduates interested in applied statistical research. The text has been structured from a data-driven rather than a theory-based perspective, and focuses on those models, methods and techniques which are both accessible and of practical use for graduate students. Exploratory techniques as well as more formal model-based approaches are presented, and both area data and origin-destination flow data are considered.