Show Navigation | Hide Navigation
You are here:
Map projections and coordinate systems > Supported map projections

Great Britain National Grid

Release 9.2
Last modified August 3, 2007
E-mail This Topic Printable Version Give Us Feedback

Print all topics in : "Supported map projections"


Related Topics



Description

This is a Transverse Mercator projected on the Airy spheroid. The central meridian is scaled to 0.9996. The origin is 49° N and 2° W.
Learn more about Transverse Mercator projection

Illustration of the Great Britain National Grid coordinate system


Projection method

Cylindrical, transverse projection with the central meridian centered along a particular region.


Lines of contact

Two lines parallel with and 180 km from the central meridian at 2° W.


Linear graticules

The central meridian.


Properties


Shape



Conformal; therefore, small shapes are maintained accurately.

Area



Distortion increases beyond Great Britain as the distance from the central meridian increases.

Direction



Local directions are accurately maintained.

Distance



Scale is accurate along the lines of secancy 180 km from the central meridian. Scale is compressed between them and expanded beyond them.


Limitations

Suitable for Great Britain. Limited in east–west extent.


Uses and applications

The national coordinate system for Great Britain; used for large-scale topographic mapping.


Parameters


Workstation





Please visit the Feedback page to comment or give suggestions on ArcGIS Desktop Help.
Copyright © Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.