Georeferálásra

Georeferálásra, which translates to georeferencing in English, is the process of assigning geographic coordinates to digital data. This data can include maps, aerial photographs, satellite imagery, or even scanned historical documents. The core idea is to link a digital representation of a geographic area to its actual location on Earth.

This process involves establishing a relationship between the coordinates within the digital data (often pixel coordinates or map units) and real-world coordinates, such as latitude and longitude or projected coordinate systems. This is typically achieved by identifying a set of control points, which are identifiable features present in both the digital data and a known georeferenced source. For instance, a corner of a building or a road intersection visible on an old map can be matched to its corresponding location on a modern, accurate map.

Once these control points are identified and their real-world coordinates are known, mathematical transformations are applied to warp and align the digital data to the correct geographic space. Different types of transformations exist, ranging from simple affine transformations (scaling, rotation, translation) to more complex polynomial transformations, depending on the distortion present in the original data.

Georeferencing is a fundamental step in many geospatial workflows. It enables the accurate overlaying of different datasets, the measurement of distances and areas, and the analysis of spatial patterns. Without georeferencing, digital maps and images would be like floating pieces of paper with no connection to the real world, limiting their practical use in fields like GIS, remote sensing, urban planning, and environmental management.