Location on the surface of the sphere is achieved, in any of several coordinate systems, with two coordinates. In the most common of the systems, the components are latitude and longitude. Careful determination of location eventually includes attempts to account for deviations of the planet from spherical shape. Examples of spatial data. Maps as visual documents Maps Visual perception Visual perception of location is a basic survival tool among many forms of animal life and it predates human language.
Sight is nearly indispensable for many predators, and prey.
In many settings, simply going home involves use of sight with other senses. And while spoken language can enhance description of location, visual representation of location, as contrasted with visual perception, facilitates planning, memory and communication. But there are useful one-dimensional representations. Most maps are two-dimensional, i.e. identifying location requires two components. Since the sixteenth century, with growing acceptance of the shape of Earth as essentially spherical, there have been many attempts at constructing representations in a plane of Earth's nearly spherical surface.