Easting and northing

From Wiki.GIS.com

The terms easting and northing are geographic Cartesian coordinates for a point. Easting refers to the eastward-measured distance (or the x-coordinate), while northing refers to the northward-measured distance (or the y-coordinate). The orthogonal coordinate pair are commonly measured in metres from a horizontal datum. This simple cartographic convention comes from a methodology for determining coordinates and areas, known as the method of latitudes and departures. Eastings are the coordinates that stretch along the bottom x-axis on the map while northings stretch along the side y-axis.

When using the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system, northing is the distance to the equator, while easting is the distance to the "false easting", which is uniquely defined in each UTM zone.

The term northing has also been used by explorers to describe a general progress toward the North Pole. Isaac Israel Hayes used this term in a 1861 address to the New-York Geographical and Statistical Society saying, "The want of steam power curtailed my northing."^[1]

Contents 1 Notation and conventions 1.1 False easting 1.2 False northing 2 References

[edit] Notation and conventions

Coordinates for locations are provided using two sets of numbers on a simple Cartesian coordinate system. This way, locations can be found using easting/northing (or x,y) pairs. As a convention, the pair is typically represented easting first, northing second.

For example, the peak of Mount Assiniboine (at 50°52′10″N 115°39′03″W / 50.86944°N 115.65083°W / 50.86944; -115.65083) in UTM Zone 11 is represented by 11U 594934 5636174. Other conventions can also used, such as a truncated grid reference,^[2] which would shorten the example coordinates to 949-361.

[edit] False easting

The linear value added to all x-coordinates of a map projection so that none of the values in the geographic region being mapped are negative.

[edit] False northing

The linear value added to all y-coordinates of a map projection so that none of the values in the geographic region being mapped are negative.

[edit] References