Geographic Coordinates

Geographic coordinates are a system for defining positions on the Earth’s surface using latitude, longitude, and, optionally, ellipsoidal height. Latitude and longitude are angular quantities referenced to the equator and the prime meridian, while height is typically defined with respect to a reference ellipsoid. In geodesy, geographic coordinates are fundamental for positioning, mapping, and navigation, and are directly linked to geodetic reference systems and reference frames (e.g., ITRS/ITRF). They provide the basis for transforming between global geocentric Cartesian coordinates and regional or local coordinate representations used in Earth system monitoring and geospatial applications.