[Geotools-gt2-users] Stupid question about coordinates and distance

[todd r. <tod...@ya...>]

I'm still very new to GIS - hence the newbie style
question.

Suppose I'm using EPSG:4326, and I have the two
coordinates -122:40 and -120:42.  It would seem
reasonable that because -122-(-120)=-2 and 40-(42)=-2,
I have a proper square (something that would fit
nicely in a 500px X 500px window).  Following this
logic, -122:40 and -120:43 would fit in a 500px X
750px window.

However, I realize that because the planet isn't flat,
I may be making assumptions that aren't correct.  I've
read some articles on projection, but I'm still not
comfortable enough to determine whether I'm
understanding all of this correctly.

Could someone shed some light on this for me?  I'll
probably have some follow up questions, so patience
and understanding are appreciated.

Todd

The only "dumb question" is the one you were too afraid to ask.
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