GPS Location - GNIS vs Census ...
An important aspect of the GNIS code is that it assigns a GPS location (the latitude/longitude) to the geographic feature. This location is simply a point on the map and does not represent the size or shape of the feature. In the case of Westford, it is a point within Westford that might be a post office, the city hall or simply an intersection - the point should really be considered arbitrary and only indicating a general location.
For Westford, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 43° 30' 14" (or 43.5°) Lon: -90° 14' 50" (or -90.25°) [Map]
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Westford - this area also contains a map point. As with the GNIS code, the location of the Census point should be considered as being arbitrary within the sampling area.
For Westford, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 43° 30' 38" (or 43.51°) Lon: -90° 14' 35" (or -90.24°) [Map]
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 2,623 feet to the northeast<1> of the point given by the GNIS (see above).
You might note that the GPS location given for the 2010 Census is different than the location that was specified by the 2000 Census:
Lat: 43° 30' 46" (or 43.51°) Lon: -90° 14' 21" (or -90.24°) [Map]
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 1,281 feet to the northeast<2> of the point given by the 2010 Census.
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