Concept of Coordinate Systems and

Map Projections
Objectives

- Understand the concept of

coordination system
- Understand the map projections

Why it is important?
 Coordinate Systems
A method of representing points in a space of
given dimensions by coordinates
 Some Terminology
Coordinate System (CS)

Set of mathematical rules for giving locations to places as set

of coordinates. Number of axes defines the number of coordinates

Geodetic Coordinate System (GCS)

Coordinate System, where the location is defined by geodetic

longitude, geodetic latitude and height from an agreed height reference

21. lokakuuta 11
 Y

(-X,+Y)
(+X,+Y)

(-X,-Y) (+X,-Y)
 Y

X - Equator.
Y - Prime Meridian
Lat/Long are the coordinate of point on earth.
 (N, W) N (N, E)

W E

(S, W) (S, E)
S
What are the latitude and longitude
directions of Pakistan?
 Latitude and Longitude

Latitude - distance from the equator along the Y axis

Longitude - distance from the prime meridian along the X axis.

.
 Exercise
In Which Quarter These Lon/Lats Are Located

 43 °N, 21°E
 78°S, 111°W
 4°S, 23°E
 15°N, 29°E
Coordination systems
 Other coordinate systems
If two datasets are not referenced to the same geographic
coordinate system, you may need to perform a geographic
(datum) transformation.

This is a well-defined mathematical method to convert

coordinates between two geographic coordinate systems. As
with the coordinate systems, there are several hundred
predefined geographic transformations that you can access.
 Positioning on the Earth’s Surface
East is the direction of Latitude: (90oN to 90oS)
rotation of the Earth North Pole
Prime Meridian Longitude: (180oE to 180oW)
0o Longitude

Tropic of Cancer Latitude 23½o North

21st June Geographical coordination
90
60ooW
30
30 Eo system
60
90 9066½23½o
o
22nd Sept
Equator Latitude 0o
20th March 900 23½o

22nd December
Tropic of Capricorn Latitude 23½o South

Longitude 90o West

Longitude 90oEast
Longitude 60o West Longitude 60o East

Longitude 30o West Longitude 30o East

South Pole
Latitude and Longitude together enable the fixing of position on the Earth’s surface.
 More Terminology
Geodetic Datum
Set of parameters for relating a Geodetic Coordinate System
to the Earth by setting it’s origin, scale and orientation.
Typically has a Reference Ellipsoid approximating the shape of
the actual Earth’s surface.

(Geodetic) Coordinate Reference System (CRS)

A Geodetic Coordinate System fixed to the Earth using

some Geodetic Datum.
 Map Projection
 3D surface is transformed to create a flat surface

 This transformation, usually by a mathematical

conversion, is commonly referred to as map
projection

 A 2D surface is imagined around the Earth and is

referred as projection surface
 Map Projections
• The systematic transformation of points
on the Earth’s surface to corresponding
points on a plane surface
• In other words: Translating the Earth (3D) to
a flat map (2D)
• All projections distort the Earth in one or more
way(s)
• Selection of a projection is done to minimize
distortion for the particular application
Which projection is the best
 Coordinate Systems –
Cartesian Y
Measures of length and angle
are uniform 40, 50

- X, + Y + X, + Y

- X, - Y + X, - Y

Cartesian coordinate system

 Coordinate Systems –
geographic

Measures of length and

angle are not uniform
 A frame of reference for
Datum measuring locations on
the surface of the Earth

Different datum locates the same point in different places

 Projection for accurate mapping

• Earth is neither a perfect sphere nor a spheroid

• Local irregularities
• Earth surveyed many times to determine semi-
minor and semi-major axis
• Semi-minor and semi-major axis that fits well one
region may not fit well another region
 Type of Projection
• Projection surfaces
– Conic, cylindrical, and planar
• ARC/INFO supports 46 projections
 ARC / INFO supports

• 26 spheroids
• Each region is represented by a unique semi-
minor and semi-major axis
• Measurements vary but by a little amount
relative to the magnitude of the Earth
 Conic Projection
• The most simple conic projection is
tangent to the globe along a line of latitude
• This is called a standard parallel for a
projection
• The meridians are projected onto the
conical surface, meeting at the apex
• latitudes are projected as rings onto the
conical surface
 Cylindrical projections
Cylindrical projections may also have one line of tangency
or two lines of secancy around the globe.
Mercator projection is one of the most common cylindrical
projections, and the Equator is usually its line of tangency.
Meridians are Geometrically projected onto the cylindrical
surface, and latitude parallels are mathematically projected,
producing graticular angles of 90 degrees.
For more complex cylindrical projections the cylinder is
rotated thus changing the lines used for tangency or
secancy.
The cylinder can be 'cut' along, any meridian to
produce the final cylindrical projection.
The meridians are equally spaced, while the
spacing between parallel lines of latitudes
increases toward the poles.

This projection is conformal and display true

direction along straight lines.
Transverse Mercator uses meridians as their
tangential contact line.

Oblique Cylinders are rotated around a great

circle line located anywhere between the
Equator and the meridians. In these complex
projections most meridians and the lines of
latitudes are not straight.

In all cylindrical projections, the line of

tangency or lines of secancy have no
distortion and thus are lines of equidistance.
Other geographical properties vary
Basic Concepts
Why spatial referencing ?
 Basic Concepts

• Spatial Data
– Where is it? (Location on earth)
Co-ordinates

Geographic Spatial Geospatial

Data Data Data
 Assignment

Explain map projection system in detail also explain Map

according to Pakistan Geography. Max. 40 Page
Submission Date: 04-12-15
Map Types
 Reference Map

• Show
locations of
places and
geographic
features.
 Thematic Map

• Tell a story
about the
degree of an
attribute, the
pattern of its
distribution, or
its movement.
Thematic Map
 Contour Maps (Isopleths)
• Isolines- Lines on a map
depicting areas of same or
like values.
• Contour maps use isolines,
or contour lines, to depict
where the same elevation
exists.
• The contour interval of a
contour map is the difference
in elevation between
Contour Maps
Proportional Symbols Map
• The proportional symbol technique uses
symbols of different sizes to represent
data associated with different areas or
locations within the map.
Proportional Symbols Map
Proportio
nal
Symbols
Map
 Dot Map
• A dot may be used
to locate each
occurrence of a
phenomenon.
• Where appropriate,
a dot may indicate
any number of
entities, for
example, one dot
for every 100
Military families in Ohio
voters.
 Choropleth Map
• Shows statistical data aggregated over
predefined regions, such as counties or
states, by coloring or shading these
regions.
• For example, countries with higher rates of
infant mortality might appear darker on a
choropleth map.
Choropleth Map
 Cartogram
• A cartogram is a map in which some
thematic mapping variable is substituted
for land area or distance.
• The geometry or space of the map is
distorted in order to convey the information
of this alternate variable.
Cartogram
Cartogram
Cartogram
 GIS map
• A geographic information system (GIS)
integrates hardware, software, and data
for capturing, managing, analyzing, and
displaying all forms of geographically
referenced information.
• GIS allows us to view, understand,
question, interpret, and visualize data in
many ways that reveal relationships,
patterns, and trends in the form of maps,
globes, reports, and charts.
GIS map
GIS Map
Location Chart
Visualizations
Visualizations
 Cognitive Map
• Mental map.

• Map drawn from memory.