WGS84datumaattia

WGS84datumaattia is the datum attribute associated with datasets that use the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) as their spatial reference. In geographic information systems (GIS), the datum attribute describes the coordinate reference frame against which geographic coordinates are defined and interpreted. It is essential for ensuring that positions are accurately placed on the Earth and that coordinates from different datasets can be correctly compared or transformed.

WGS84 is a global geodetic reference system used for positioning, navigation, and mapping. It defines a reference ellipsoid and a geocentric datum that is approximately aligned with the Earth’s center of mass. WGS84 is widely adopted in GPS and is the default basis for many digital maps and geospatial tools. Because coordinate data can be stored in various reference frames, the datum attribute (often expressed as WGS84 or a code such as EPSG:4326 for geographic coordinates) tells software how to interpret and, if necessary, transform the data into a common frame.

In practice, the datum attribute appears in dataset metadata as part of the coordinate reference system (CRS). Common WGS84-related CRSs include geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) with EPSG:4326 and projected variants that still rely on the WGS84 datum, such as Web Mercator (EPSG:3857). The presence and accuracy of the datum attribute determine how well coordinates align when overlaying data from different sources.

WGS84 has undergone refinements and multiple realizations over time, and while the overall concept of a global WGS84 frame remains stable, modern datasets may reference more precise realizations or time-dependent frames.