The importance of coordinate systems

Lesson 2A
Learning objectives
• Describe the differences between geographic and
projected coordinate systems
• Evaluate the appropriateness of a particular coordinate
system for a project and area of interest
Coordinate Systems
• Spatial data are generally recorded as latitude and

longitude, frequently as decimal degrees.

• Other systems commonly used are the Universal

Transverse Mercator – UTM These systems are
projections of the curved surface of the globe on to a
plane surface.

• UTM, the preferred system, distance unit is the meter.

• In the UTM system projections are made in zones of

approximately 6 degrees of longitude.

Coordinate Systems
• There are two datums (reference planes) commonly used

to make projections: North American Datum of 1927

(NAD27) and the World Geographic Reference System of
1984 (WGS84). The WGS84 datum can be used world
wide. The default datum of many GPS receivers is the
WGS84 datum.
UTM Specifications
• UTM position is specified by:

• Number of the Zone

• North (or South) of the equator

• East of the western boundary of the zone

• Distances are in meters

• Coordinates are referred to as “Northings” and “Eastings”

• N xxxxxx, E yyyyyy
How spatial data stores location
• Pairs of coordinate values

+90 Y axis = Prime Meridian

x,y x,y
-,+ +,+

-180 +180
0,0 X axis = Equator
x,y x,y
-,- +,-

-90
Geographic coordinate systems
• Reference system based on a 3-D spherical surface

• Angular distance of latitude/longitude

• Degrees Minutes Seconds
• 117º11’44.326”W, 34º3’23.029”N
• Decimal degrees
• -117.195646, 34.056397
Projected coordinate systems
• Reference system based on 2-D planar surface

• Units generally in meters or feet

Spatial properties and distortion
• Shape

• Area

• Distance

• Direction
Lesson review
• True or false? Some coordinate systems preserve all four
properties, while others distort one or more.
• Coordinate systems that are based on a 3-D spherical
model of the earth are called ____________ coordinate
systems. The values in this type of coordinate system are
usually __________ and __________.
• You open a map document to find that the layers do not
line up properly. What might this indicate?
• ____________coordinate systems are based on a flat,
2D surface. The units for these coordinate systems are
generally ______ or ________.
Lesson review
• You are creating a map that will be used to subdivide
various lots throughout the city. Which spatial property
should your map projection preserve?
a. Shape
b. Area
c. Distance
d. Direction