Dear student,
Geometrical isomerism is a kind of stereoisomerism. The isomerism due  to the difference in spatial arrangements of groups about the doubly  bonded carbon atoms is known as Geometrical Isomerism.
For e.g., consider the structure of 2-butene.
Space Models

 
fig.12.1 - Space Models of 2-Butenes
Note that the atoms are arranged in two different ways in I and II. The two CH3 groups lie on the same side in I and on the opposite sides in II. When  two similar atoms or groups lie on the same side, the isomerism is  called cis isomerism and the isomers are called cis isomers (cis means "on same side" in Latin). When two similar atoms or groups lie on opposite sides, the isomerism is called trans isomerism and the isomers are called trans isomers (trans means "across" in Latin). Geometrical isomerism is also called Cis-trans isomerism.
The carbon-carbon double bond in 2-butene consists of one sigma bond  and one pie bond. The pie bond is formed by the lateral overlapping of p  orbitals that lie above and below the sigma orbital plane. To pass from  the cis form to the trans form, the molecule must be twisted so that  the p orbitals don't overlap any more and the pie bond is broken. To  break this pie bond, around 167.2KJ of energy is required. Therefore the  conversion from one geometric isomer to another is very rare in  2-butene.
 

 
fig.12.2 - Hindered rotation about the carbon carbon double bond
Similarly, maleic and fumaric acids exhibit geometric isomerism or they are geometric isomers.