Geocoding: What You Need To Know
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Geocoding is a powerful tool used in many industries worldwide. It is a process of transforming your regular address into a specific geographical data in order to present maps with optimum accuracy. Geocoding works hand in hand with GPS technology and Geographic information system (GIS).
A bit of history: During the 1970's the Unites States Census Bureau decided to create a system that will enable the agency to collect better census data. Instead of just manually gathering information, more high tech systems such as computers and satellite technology were used giving way to the rise of geocoding.
How to collect data: Geocoding uses longitude and latitude coordinates to mark locations anywhere in the world. As a review, latitudes are imaginary horizontal lines that run from east to west of the earth while longitudes are imaginary vertical lines that run from north to south of the earth. Both lines are used to measure different points in degrees and minutes. The more specific geographical coordinates are, the more accurate data becomes available. These information will then be used in Geocoding. For example a certain location that has a coordinate of 32.97652 degrees North reveals specific data which allows geocoding of any scale.
Geocoding has two stages. First geographical are gathered from satellite imageries, visual data, images and GPS technology. When all necessary data becomes available, it is then time to develop the geographic information system.
Geocoding milestones: Geocoding has helped various companies and organizations. It has had aided police, firefighters and ambulances in emergency response with the help of GPS. Taxi drivers also use GPS to efficiently go from address to address. You may have GPS installed in your vehicles. This is also a product of geocoding.
In the field of environmental science, geocoding also plays a significant role especially in tracking down endangered species worldwide. It has aided conservation efforts and mapped out places where environmental destruction occurred. The recent environmental tragedies of the BP Oil Spill, flooding in Pakistan and China, wildfires in Russia used geocoding, GPS ad GIS to track damage and devise ways to solve the problems.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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