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cartesian coordinates — English
The value of a point on the x-axis and its value on the y-axis of an ordinary graph are called the Cartesian coordinates of that point. A Cartesian set of axes are used in mathematics and perhaps all other sciences. It does, however, only apply to a flat surface (a plane), but not to the Earth’s surface which is not a flat plane, but a sphere. Geographers use Cartesian grids all the time, but not to describe the absolute location of a place or a point on the Earth’s surface. In order to describe absolute location, geographers had to devise a different system all together. The geographical system of describing the absolute location of a point on the Earth’s surface is the grid formed by the lines of latitude and lines longitude. Absolute geographical location is described by its latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. (See “absolute location” under “location” and “geographical coordinate system”.)
