Coordinate System

Definition

A coordinate system is a standardized method for identifying the location of a point on the earth's surface or in space by using numbers or coordinates. It is a mathematical way of depicting three dimensions (3D) in a two dimensional (2D) format, using three values known as X, Y, and Z. Coordinate systems allow geographical information systems (GIS) to map the world in specific locations, measure distances and areas, and perform spatial analysis.

What is Coordinate System?

Coordinate systems are fundamental to geospatial applications because they enable data from different sources to be integrated and visually represented in layers. There are mainly two types of coordinate systems:

1. Geographic Coordinate System (GCS): This system uses degrees of longitude and latitude to define locations on the earth's surface. In the GCS, the Earth's surface is represented as a sphere or an ellipsoid.
2. Projected Coordinate System (PCS): This system uses linear measurements to define the location, such as feet or meters. The PCS entails mathematical transformations of the Earth's surface to a flat, two-dimensional plane.

It's important to understand that without a coordinate system, it would be impossible to spatially reference physical features or align geographically distributed datasets accurately for a GIS.

FAQs

What does a Coordinate System do in GIS?

A coordinate system in GIS helps to define the real-world location of features and phenomena. It provides a consistent and standardized method for collecting, storing, displaying and analyzing geospatial data across different maps, projects, and devices.

Are there other types of Coordinate Systems?

Yes, there are other types of coordinate systems as well, for example, Cartesian coordinate system, Polar coordinate system, Spherical coordinate system, and Cylindrical coordinate system. Each of these has specific uses in various fields of study.

What are datum in relation to a Coordinate System?

A datum is a reference point or basis for the measurement of geographic coordinates in a coordinate system. It describes the shape and size of the earth and the origin and orientation of the coordinate systems used to map the earth.

How are GCS and PCS different?

The primary difference between GCS and PCS lies in the representation of the earth's surface. GCS uses a spherical representation, measuring locations in degrees of longitude and latitude. On the other hand, PCS represents the earth's surface as a flat plane, measuring locations in linear units such as meters or feet.