A simple construction is presented which generalizes piecewise linear onedimensional Markov maps to an arbitrary number of dimensions. The corresponding coupled map lattice, known as a simplicial mapping in the mathematical literature, allows for an analytical investigation. In particular, the spin Hamiltonian which is generated by the symbolic dynamics is accessible. As an example, a formal relation between a globally coupled system and an Ising mean-field model is established. The phase transition in the limit of infinite system size is analyzed and analytical results are compared wilh numerical simulations.