diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6fab801b0..4e7b4d98c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-
 ```                                                          
     _/      _/                                _/  _/      
    _/_/  _/_/    _/_/_/  _/_/_/    _/_/_/        _/  _/   
@@ -9,22 +8,21 @@ _/      _/    _/_/_/  _/_/_/    _/    _/  _/  _/    _/
                     _/                                    
 ```
 
-Mapnik is an open source toolkit for developing mapping applications.
-At the core is a C++ shared library providing algorithms/patterns 
-for spatial data access and visualization.
+# What is Mapnik?
 
-Essentially a collection of geographic objects (map, layer, datasource,
-feature, geometry), the library doesn't rely on "windowing systems"
-and can be deployed in any server environment.  It is intended to play
-fair in a multi-threaded environment and is aimed primarily, but not
-exclusively, at web-based development.
+Mapnik is an open source toolkit and API for developing mapping applications. At the core is a C++ shared library providing algorithms and patterns for spatial data access and visualization. High-level bindings for Java, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby facilitate rapid application development in a variety of environments.
 
-High-level bindings (python, javascript, and ruby) facilitate rapid 
-application development.
+# Overview
 
-Mapnik is a free software and is released under LGPL (GNU Lesser General
-Public License) (see COPYING)
+Mapnik is basically a collection of geographic objects like maps, layers, datasources, features, and geometries. The library doesn't rely on any OS specific "windowing systems" and it can be deployed to any server environment. It is intended to play fair in a multi-threaded environment and is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at web-based development.
 
-See INSTALL.md for installation instructions
 
-For further information see http://mapnik.org
+For further information see [http://mapnik.org](http://mapnik.org) and also our [wiki documentation](https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/wiki) here on GitHub.
+
+# Installation
+
+See [INSTALL.md](https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/blob/master/INSTALL.md) for installation instructions.
+
+# License
+
+Mapnik software is free and is released under LGPL ([GNU Lesser General Public License](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html_). Please (see [COPYING](https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/blob/master/COPYING)) for more information.