[GRASSLIST:9763] starting with vector data

[Wolfgang Zillig]

Hello,

I need to start with vector data in Grass, but I don't understand how it 
works with data other than single points.

I want to achive 2 things:

1. I want to display in an country outline rectangulars which show areas 
where I have detailed topographical maps (ideally displayed as filles 
areas).

2. I want to hack into Grass 3d-polygons (lines) with fixed coordinates. 
In a second step I want to combine these get profiles  which show these 
polygons with  surface data (SRTM). I think I know how to do this second 
step but I did not figure out how to import the data in the right way.

Is there a manual which gives an good introduction in vector handling? I 
could not find one which helped to solve my problem. Any references are 
welcome.

Many thanks

Wolfgang