In cartography and geographic information systems (GIS), geographic references are fundamental to represent the location of geographic objects on the Earth’s surface. Two of the most important geographic references are datum and projection.
The datum refers to the mathematical model used to define the shape and position of the Earth on a flat surface. Datums can be global or local and are based on different measurement methods, such as triangulation or global positioning technology (GPS). The datum defines values for latitude, longitude, and elevation, and is essential for determining the precise location of geographic objects. Common datums include WGS 84 (World Geodetic System 1984) and NAD83 (North American Datum 1983).
The projection refers to the method used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map. Because the Earth is spherical, it is impossible to accurately represent its surface on a flat map without distortion. Therefore, cartographic projections use different techniques to minimize distortion of shape, distance, area, or direction of geographic objects. Common projections include Mercator, Conic, and Cylindrical. Each projection has advantages and disadvantages depending on its purpose and geographic location.
In summary, the datum and projection are two important geographic references for representing the location of geographic objects on a map. The datum defines the shape and position of the Earth on a flat surface, while the projection defines the method used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map.
Geographic coordinate system
The geographic coordinate system (GCS) is a reference system that uses latitude and longitude coordinates to identify locations on the Earth’s surface. The GCS is based on a three-dimensional model of the Earth as an ellipsoid, with the center of the Earth as the origin of the coordinate system.
Latitude is a measurement of a location’s distance north or south of the equator, which is defined as 0 degrees latitude. The equator is the circle on the Earth’s surface that is equidistant from the North and South Poles. Lines of latitude are also known as parallels, and they are measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. The maximum latitude is 90 degrees, which is the North and South Poles.
Longitude is a measurement of a location’s distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, which is defined as 0 degrees longitude. The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and passes through Greenwich, England. Lines of longitude are also known as meridians, and they are also measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. The maximum longitude is 180 degrees, which is the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
Together, latitude and longitude provide a unique coordinate for every point on the Earth’s surface. The GCS is used for many applications, such as navigation, surveying, and mapping. It is also used as a reference for other coordinate systems, such as the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system.
Map projections
A cartographic projection is a method of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map. Because the Earth is a three-dimensional object, it is impossible to accurately represent its surface on a two-dimensional map without some degree of distortion.
There are many types of cartographic projections, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of projections include:
- Mercator projection: This is a cylindrical projection that preserves direction, making it useful for navigation. However, it distorts the size of objects as they move away from the equator.
- Peters projection: This is an equal-area projection that preserves the relative sizes of land masses, making it useful for comparing regions. However, it distorts shapes and distances.
- Robinson projection: This is a compromise projection that balances distortion of size, shape, and distance, making it useful for general-purpose mapping. However, it is not ideal for precise measurements.
- Conic projection: This projection uses a cone to map the Earth’s surface onto a flat plane. It is useful for mapping regions that are east-west elongated, such as North America. However, it distorts areas that are far from the center of the projection.
- Azimuthal projection: This projection maps the Earth’s surface onto a plane tangent to the Earth at a specific point. It is useful for mapping polar regions or for calculating distances and directions. However, it distorts shapes and distances as they move away from the center of the projection.
In addition to these common types of projections, there are many other specialized projections that are used for specific purposes. Choosing the appropriate projection depends on the purpose of the map and the geographic area being represented.
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