Map Basics

Coordinate
systems
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 Map Basics
Coordinate systems
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Horizontal coordinate systems
• three types: geographic, projected, or local

Vertical coordinate systems

• either gravity based or ellipsoidal

• Gravity-based vertical coordinate systems are more commonly
used. They reference a mean sea level calculation (or in some
cases, derived from the level of a single point).
Geographic coordinate systems (GCS)
• Based on a three-dimensional ellipsoidal or spherical surface,
and locations are defined using angular measurements, usually
in decimal degrees, measuring degrees of longitude (x-
coordinates) and degrees of latitude (y-coordinates). The
location of data is expressed as positive or negative numbers:
positive x- and y-values for north of the equator and east of
the prime meridian and negative values for south of the
equator and west of the prime meridian.
Projected coordinate systems (PCS)
• Planar systems that use linear measurements for the
coordinates rather than angular units. A projected coordinate
system is composed of a geographic coordinate system and a
map projection together. A map projection contains the
mathematical calculations that convert the angular geodetic
coordinates of the GCS to Cartesian coordinates of the planar
PCS system.
Local coordinate system
• uses a false origin (0, 0 or other values) in an arbitrary
location anywhere on earth. Local coordinate systems are
often used for large-scale (small area) mapping. The false
origin may or may not be aligned to a known real-world
coordinate, but for the purpose of data capture, bearings and
distances can be measured using the local coordinate system
rather than global coordinates. Local coordinate systems are
usually expressed in meters or feet.