Question

What are Coordinate Systems? Explain the Geographic Coordinate System in detail with a suitable diagram.

Hint:

GCS uses latitude and longitude to pinpoint locations on the Earth’s surface.

Answer 1

Coordinate Systems are reference frameworks used to define the position of points on the Earth’s surface.
They allow geospatial data to be precisely located, mapped, and analyzed.
There are two main types: Geographic Coordinate Systems (GCS) and Projected Coordinate Systems (PCS).
A Geographic Coordinate System uses a three-dimensional spherical surface to define locations.
It is based on a datum (like WGS84), an angular unit (usually degrees), and a prime meridian (like Greenwich).
Locations are specified using latitude (north-south position) and longitude (east-west position).
GCS is commonly used for global datasets, GPS coordinates, and mapping large regions.
A simple diagram would show the Earth with a grid of lines — lines of latitude running parallel to the equator, and lines of longitude converging at the poles.
This system allows precise global positioning but must be transformed into a projected system for flat map creation.