Mouse Cursor Coordinates  are provided in the lower right-hand corner of the MapsOnline interface. The user should notice how these coordinates change as the mouse is moved over the map. These coordinates are derived from the data's map projection, as determined by the client.

The public is becoming more and more familiar with map coordinates and projection systems through the use of mapping systems and global positioning systems (GPS) in their cars, while hiking, etc. In general, consumer mapping and GPS utilize Latitude and Longitude coordinates, which is a system that covers the entire world. This is more than adequate for many purposes, but not for mapping at the community, state, or regional level. The Latitude/Longitude coordinate system skews the mapping data at this scale, resulting in a map that is not reflective of the actual features on the ground. Instead, states have created their own State Plane Coordinate Systems which have their origin (0,0) in the lower left-hand corner of their territory. Larger states sometimes breakdown their territory into sub-areas, and develop State Plane Coordinate Systems for each sub-area to increase accuracy. Surveyors most often use these systems. So do GIS Mapping projects.

To learn more about map projections and coordinate systems, follow these links: