Geographic Coordinate System (GCS)

The Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) is a way to pinpoint locations on Earth using a grid of latitude and longitude. Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the equator, while longitude measures how far east or west it is from the Prime Meridian. These coordinates provide a universal reference system that helps in mapping, navigation, and geographic analysis. Think of it as an invisible grid overlaying the globe, allowing precise identification of any location on Earth’s surface. It’s fundamental for GIS, GPS, and many location-based applications.