[R] Using GIS data in R

[Scott Duke-Sylvester]

I have a simple problem: I need to load a ERSI shapefile of US states
and check whether or not a set of points are within the boundary of
these states. I have the shapefile, I have the coordinates but I'm
having a great deal of difficulty bringing the two together. The
problem is the various GIS packages for R do not play well with each
other. sp, shapefiles, maptools, etc all use different data
structures. Can someone suggest a simple set of commands that will
work together that will:

1) load the shapefile data.
2) Allow me to test whether or not a (lng,lat) coordinate pair are
inside or outside the polygons defined in the shapefile.

Many thanks,
scott.

-- 
Scott M. Duke-Sylvester
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology

Office : 300 E. St. Mary Blvd
             Billeaud Hall, Room 141
             Lafayette, LA 70504

Mailing address : UL Lafayette
                  Department of Biology
                  P.O.Box 42451
                  Lafayette, LA 70504-2451

Phone : 337 482 5304
Fax   : 337 482 5834
email : smd3729 at louisiana.edu