Coordinates
Overview
Coordinates are a set of values that define a specific location in space, typically represented as latitude and longitude in geographic coordinate systems. Coordinates enable precise positioning of features on the Earth’s surface and form the foundation of all geospatial data.
Key Concepts
Latitude is the angular distance north or south of the equator (0° to ±90°). Longitude is the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0° to ±180°). Easting/Northing are projected coordinate values in meters or feet. Altitude/Elevation is the optional third dimension (Z-coordinate). Precision is the number of decimal places in coordinate values.
Coordinate Formats
| Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees (DD) | 40.7128, -74.0060 | Most common in GIS |
| Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) | 40°42’46”N, 74°0’22”W | Traditional format |
| Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM) | 40°42.768’N, 74°0.360’W | Navigation |
| UTM | 18T 583960 4507523 | Zone + Easting + Northing |
Coordinate Order
- GeoJSON: [longitude, latitude] (x, y)
- WKT: longitude latitude (x y)
- GPS/Common: latitude, longitude (y, x)
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13