The goal of this course is to acquire the background of spatial databases, the kernel of Geographic Systems. The major aspects that will be handled are: modeling and querying geospatial information, spatial access methods (SAMs), data representation, basic operations (mostly from computational geometry), and optimization. Insights into current applications such as location-based services (e.g., navigation systems) will also be given. Knowledge in databases is necessary. This course encompasses: formal lectures, exercises, as well as a practical project with PostGIS.