How Do You Measure The Distance Between Two Points In GIS?
Coordinates that represent points on a map in geographic information systems (GIS) are expressed using longitude and latitude. Longitude lines are the imaginary lines that stretch vertically from the north pole to the south pole, and therefore describe east-west position; latitude lines stretch horizontally around the earth and describe north-south position. Determining the distance between two points on a map can be complicated because you must remember to take the curvature of the earth into account if you want accurate results, especially when the points are farther than a few miles apart. The distance that considers this factor is called the “great circle distance.” Choose the appropriate sign for each longitude and latitude value based on the hemisphere they are located in. Positive numbers represent latitudes north of the equator and longitudes east of the prime meridian. Negative numbers represent latitudes south of the equator and longitudes west of the prime meridian. For exam
