Geospatial and GIS Glossary

A Common Land Unit (CLU) is the smallest mapped land parcel with fixed boundaries, sharing common ownership, management, use, or client association.

The CSDGM is an FGDC standard that ensures consistent spatial metadata documentation, improving geographic data sharing, discovery, and usability.

A Cartesian coordinate system uses x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axes to locate points with unique coordinates for accurate measurement and analysis.

A parameter that defines a specific zone within a map projection system, used to divide regions for accurate geographic positioning and coordinate mapping.

A raster compression tool reduces image file size using lossless or lossy methods. Examples include MrSID and JPEG2000, balancing storage and image quality.

A GPS constellation is a group of satellites used for positioning. At least 3 satellites provide a 2D fix, while 4 or more are needed for a 3D fix.

Construction site drone monitoring involves the use of drones (UAVs) to observe, inspect, and collect data from construction sites.

The contour interval is a fixed elevation difference between contour lines, chosen based on terrain and the level of detail needed in a map.

Contour lines are imaginary lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation, showing the shape and relief of the land.

A contour map (topographic map) shows land relief using contour lines that connect points of equal elevation, helping visualize terrain shape and height changes.

A coordinate is a set of values, such as (x, y) in a two-dimensional system or (x, y, z) in a three-dimensional system, used to define a specific location.

A coordinate system is a reference framework used to locate points and measure distances on maps, ensuring geographic data is accurately positioned.