Coordinates tell you an exact location on Earth. It’s amazing because with just two sets numbers, latitude and longitude, you can describe a specific location on this planet. While the numbers are limited to a max of 180, it isn’t easy to just know a location based on latitude and longitude. This is why maps and global positioning systems are so crucial.
Nowadays maps make it easy to view coordinates to gain an understanding of that location and what’s around it. You’ll get a pinpoint visualization of that location, amazing right?
A Way To Map Coordinates
Most people already know that Google is a very powerful source of information and is one of the best, if not the best, search engines. By simply typing anything on the search bar, Google is able to give you an answer or information about your query.
It is such a powerful tool that it can create a map after searching coordinates on its search bar. You need to make sure that you enter the latitude followed by longitude and separate them with a comma. Google maps are great because they are very interactive and you can do all sorts of things like map the distance between two coordinates and find directions using your preferred transportation. What’s more, you can even save shared URL links of your coordinate maps for quick access.
Obtaining Coordinates
You will be surprised by how often coordinates are listed in various places. GPS shows coordinates of a location but people often overlook this because the GPS takes care of everything for you. Websites that talk about places will often show coordinates as well. Keep in mind that coordinates can be listed in various forms, as shown above.
Mapping Multiple Locations
Google Maps is good when it comes to mapping a set of coordinates but it’s much harder for it to map hundreds, if not thousands of coordinates. There is a Google Maps API, but the process is just too difficult and time-consuming to just map coordinates.
ShowMyMap makes it shockingly easy to map your coordinates with its unique mapping tool. All you have to do is create a spreadsheet of your mapping data, paste it into our location data box, and your map will be created. Easy as that!
- To create a map using coordinates, simply copy the data from your excel or google sheet and paste on ShowMyMap’s map-making tool or you can also easily drag and drop the file/s containing your data set. How to Create A Basic Map. Your spreadsheet will look like this:
2. After copy-pasting the data into ShowMyMap’s map-making tool or selecting the file from your drive, click on “Create Map.”
3. You will then be asked to geo decode and customize your map depending on your needs. Click on “Save Map + Continue.”
4. Last step would be to add a title and the email address where you want to receive the unique link of your map and the short code should you want to embed the map to other websites. You can also add some notes and select the method of saving, whether its Public, Unlisted or Password Protected. Click on “Save Map”
You can then view and share it, embed it into your website, and update it very easily. ShowMyMap saves you the time and stress you would have otherwise gone through. Here’s an example of a map using coordinates:
View Tourist Spots in the US in a full screen map
Formatting Tips:
- Your latitude coordinates should come first before your longitude coordinates.
- Your latitude coordinate should be between the values of -90 and 90, and your longitude coordinate should be between the values of -180 and 180.
- Use the degree symbol instead of “d.”
- Use periods (.) as decimals, not commas. Incorrect format: 41,40338, 2,17403. Correct format: 41.40338, 2.17403.
Acceptable formats to enter into google:
- Decimal degrees (DD): 44.40338, 5.17403
- Degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS): 44°24’12.2″N 5°10’26.5″E
- Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM): 44 24.2028, 5 10.4418
Obtaining Coordinates
You will be surprised by how often coordinates are listed in various places. GPS shows coordinates of a location but people often overlook this because the GPS takes care of everything for you. Websites that talk about places will often show coordinates as well. Keep in mind that coordinates can be listed in various forms, as shown above.
