Knowledge Base

Map information in programs based on the WGS-84 map datum

Article ID: 197061

Article Last Modified on 10/30/2007


APPLIES TO


This article was previously published under Q197061

SUMMARY

The map information in the Microsoft programs listed in the "Applies to" section is based upon WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) in Plate Carree, or projections in rendering.

Because of the methods these programs use to display map information, you may notice a discrepancy in the displayed position of a point on the map and the actual latitude and longitude of the point based on the WGS-84 map datum.

Some Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments can be configured to use different map data for their basic map functions. To obtain the best results with Microsoft programs that support GPS input, configure your GPS instrument to use the WGS-84 map datum.

For additional information about using GPS instruments with MicrosoftExpedia Streets and Trips 2000, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

233245 Expedia Streets and Trips 2000: Cannot Use GPS Device with Program

MORE INFORMATION

The latitude and longitude of a single point on the Earth's surface can differ considerably depending on the map datum you use.

For example, in the United Kingdom, the position of a point based on a pair of latitude and longitude co-ordinates in the WGS-84 map datum may be as far as 135 meters from a point based on the same co-ordinates in the OSGB-36 map datum.

Note There are more than 240 spatial reference systems known as Coordinate Reference System (CRS) in common useage today. The map datum used by the products listed at the top of the articles is the most common, that is, WGS84.

Additional query words: auto-map amap degrees minutes seconds nad world atlas evg

Keywords: kbinfo kbui KB197061