Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) 1km Square Identifier polygons for the specific Grid Zone Designator (GZD), for each 100,000-meter square identifier's(100km) Grid Square.

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Metadata:

Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: University of Florida GeoPlan Center
Publication_Date: 20110404
Title:
Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) 1km Square Identifier polygons for the specific Grid Zone Designator (GZD), for each 100,000-meter square identifier's(100km) Grid Square.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Gainesville, FL
Publisher: University of Florida GeoPlan Center
Other_Citation_Details: MGRS_GZD
Online_Linkage: <http://www.mgrs-data.org/>
Description:
Abstract:
This is a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) 1km Square Identifier polygon shapefile. The polygons are defined by UTM zone MGRS regions, with subdivisions into MGRS 1km Square Identifiers. The MGRS is the geocoordinate standard used by US Armed Forces and NATO militaries for locating points on the earth. The MGRS is derived from the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) grid system and the UPS (Universal Polar Stereographic) grid system, but uses a different labeling convention. A single alpha-numeric value references an area that is unique for the entire earth. The MGRS is used for the entire earth.
Purpose:
The data was created to serve as base information for use in GIS systems for a variety of planning and analytical purposes.
Supplemental_Information:
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Military Grid Reference System
An MGRS grid reference is a point reference system. When the term 'grid square' is used, it can refer to a square with a side length of 10 km, 1 km, 100 m, 10 m or 1 m, depending on the precision of the coordinates provided. (In some cases, squares adjacent to a Grid Zone Junction (GZJ) are clipped, so polygon is a better descriptor of these areas.) The number of digits in the numerical location must be even: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10, depending on the desired precision. When changing precision levels, it is important to truncate rather than round the easting and northing values to ensure the more precise polygon will remain within the boundaries of the less precise polygon. Related to this is the primacy of the southwest corner of the polygon being the labeling point for an entire polygon. In instances where the polygon is not a square and has been clipped by a grid zone junction, the polygon keeps the label of the southwest corner as if it had not been clipped.
An example of an MGRS coordinate, or grid reference, would be 4QFJ12345678, which consists of three parts:
4Q (grid zone designator, GZD), FJ (the 100,000-meter square identifier), and 12345678 (numerical location; easting is 1234 and northing is 5678, in this case specifying a location with 10m resolution).
SOURCE: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_grid_reference_system#100.2C000-meter_square_identification>
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MGRS Zipper Effect
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection is a planer projection used to project the curved surface of the earth on a two-dimensional plane. In the U.S, excluding Alaska, there are approximately 12 UTM zones. Irregular grid cells with areas less than 1-kilometer square occur along the edges of each zone junction. These Zipper Cells occur because mapping the three-dimensional spherical earth on a two-dimensional plane creates distortions which may appear as sliver polygons.
SOURCE: <http://www.fws.gov/southwest/AboutUs/LCC/docs/GP_LCC_ReportFinalDraft_Hanni.pdf>
Additionally there is also a small North and South MGRS zipper effect where seams with slivers are also a by-product of the transformation of the earth from a round object to a flat one, however, this by-product is more easily observed in the East and West MGRS seams.
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Transverse Mercator Projection
The familiar Mercator map is based on the great circle of the equator. Any great circle can be taken as the basis, in particular a meridian. When this is done, the projection is called the Transverse Mercator. The coordinate transformation from latitude and longitude with respect to the equator to latitude and longitude with respect to the chosen meridian (they all are the same) is shown at the right. Solution of the shaded right-angled spherical triangle gives the desired relations, which are shown on the diagram. The Mercator projection is then carried out on the new coordinates ?' and f' in the usual way.
A Transverse Mercator coordinate net showing meridians and parallels appears at the left. The orthogonal intersections show that it is conformal. Neither meridians nor parallels are straight lines, or any simple curve. At the center of the map, meridians and parallels are almost a rectangular net. The map is used only in this area, centered on a certain longitude and latitude. The basic map has unity scale on the standard meridian, but the scale can be changed slightly to make it smaller than unity on the meridian, and unity a certain distance east and west of the meridian, so that the scale is closer to unity over a wider band of the map.
IMAGE: <http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/math/trmerc.gif>
The Transverse Mercator projection is used as a basis for the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid system for military maps. It is easy to cover any relatively small area anywhere on the globe with this system, though not maps showing a large area, when the great changes in scale would be objectionable. A grid system overlays a rectangular grid on the map, to which points are referred instead of using longitude and latitude. The earth between 80°S and 80°N is divided into quadrilateral zones 8° N-S and 6° E-W, numbered 1-60 eastward beginning at 180° and C-X (I and O omitted) south to north. These are divided into 100 000-m squares designated by two letters. The principle of stating a UTM grid reference is shown at the right. The zone designation, 12S, is added if references cover a wide area. This reference locates point P, the village of Red Rock on the New Mexico-Arizona border in the Navajo Reservation, to within 1000 meters. More precise grid coordinates, XR735526, locates Red Rock to 100 meters. A special L-shaped ruler facilitates accurate reading of the grid coordinates. One used by the Army had scales of 1:25000 and 1:50000, with meters on one side and yards on the other. In order to make a grid reference, a map is required, of course, such as the one in the References. I have not investigated in detail how these grids and squares are made to fit together, and what approximations are involved. An arbitrary square grid could easily be superimposed on any map, but making it correspond to distance with any accuracy is a more difficult question.
SOURCE: <http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/math/mercator.htm>
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UTM - Universal Transverse Mercator Geographic Coordinate System
The idea of the transverse mercator projection has its roots in the 18th century, but it did not come into common usage until after World War II. It has become the most used because it allows precise measurements in meters to within 1 meter.
A mercator projection is a 'pseudocylindrical' conformal projection (it preserves shape). What you often see on poster-size maps of the world is an equatorial mercator projection that has relatively little distortion along the equator, but quite a bit of distortion toward the poles.
What a transverse mercator projection does, in effect, is orient the 'equator' north-south (through the poles), thus providing a north-south oriented swath of little distortion. By changing slightly the orientation of the cylinder onto which the map is projected, successive swaths of relatively undistorted regions can be created.
This is exactly what the UTM system does. Each of these swaths is called a UTM zone and is six degrees of longitude wide. The first zone begins at the International Date Line (180°, using the geographic coordinate system). The zones are numbered from west to east, so zone 2 begins at 174°W and extends to 168°W. The last zone (zone 60) begins at 174°E and extends to the International Date Line.
IMAGE: <http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/images/zones.gif>
The zones are then further subdivided into an eastern and western half by drawing a line, representing a transverse mercator projection, down the middle of the zone. This line is known as the 'central meridian' and is the only line within the zone that can be drawn between the poles and be perpendicular to the equator (in other words, it is the new 'equator' for the projection and suffers the least amount of distortion). For this reason, vertical grid lines in the UTM system are oriented parallel to the central meridian. The central meridian is also used in setting up the origin for the grid system.
Any point can then be described by its distance east of the origin (its 'easting' value). By definition the Central Meridian is assigned a false easting of 500,000 meters. Any easting value greater than 500,000 meters indicates a point east of the central meridian. Any easting value less than 500,000 meters indicates a point west of the central meridian. Distances (and locations) in the UTM system are measured in meters, and each UTM zone has its own origin for east-west measurements.
To eliminate the necessity for using negative numbers to describe a location, the east-west origin is placed 500,000 meters west of the central meridian. This is referred to as the zone's 'false origin'. The zone doesn't extend all the way to the false origin. The origin for north-south values depends on whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere, the origin is the equator and all distances north (or 'northings') are measured from the equator. In the southern hemisphere the origin is the south pole and all northings are measured from there. Once again, having separate origins for the northern and southern hemispheres eliminates the need for any negative values. The average circumference of the earth is 40,030,173 meters, meaning that there are 10,007,543 meters of northing in each hemisphere.
IMAGE: <http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/images/utm2.gif>
UTM coordinates are typically given with the zone first, then the easting, then the northing. So, in UTM coordinates, Red Hill is located in zone twelve at 328204 E (easting), 4746040 N (northing). Based on this, you know that you are west of the central meridian in zone twelve and just under halfway between the equator and the north pole. The UTM system may seem a bit confusing at first, mostly because many people have never heard of it, let alone used it. Once you've used it for a little while, however, it becomes an extremely fast and efficient means of finding exact locations and approximating locations on a map.
Many topographic maps published in recent years use the UTM coordinate system as the primary grids on the map. On older topographic maps published in the United States, UTM grids are shown along the edges of the map as small blue ticks.
SOURCE: <http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/utm.htm> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 20010404
Currentness_Reference: publication date
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.429040
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -79.872251
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.983191
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 24.492815
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NONE
Theme_Keyword: Military Grid Reference System
Theme_Keyword: MGRS
Theme_Keyword: 1km
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: location
Theme_Keyword: intelligenceMilitary
Place:
Place_Keyword: Specific MGRS GZD
Access_Constraints: NONE
Use_Constraints: NONE
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Florida GeoPlan Center
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 431 Architecture Building
Address: PO Box 115706
City: Gainesville
State_or_Province: FL
Postal_Code: 32611-5706
Country: USA
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: data@mgrs-data.org
Contact_Instructions: <http://www.mgrs-data.org/>
Data_Set_Credit:
NGA: Office of GEOINT Sciences, Coordinate Systems Analysis Team for their MGRS_100kmSQ_ID layers which we used as our reference layer in creating the 100m polygons.
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.2.5.1450
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Other_Citation_Details:
NGA GIS MGRS Grid Data layers in GIS Format <http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/coordsys/gislayers/gislayers.html>
NGA MGRS Document <http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/coordsys/grids/mgrs.doc>
NGA MGRS Grid Zone Designator (GZD's) <http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/coordsys/images/utm_mgrs_images/MGRS_GZD.pdf>
NGA Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) and the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) <http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/coordsys/grids/utm.html>
Military grid reference system <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_grid_reference_system>
UTM, MGRS and the USNG <http://www.andrewlesley.freeserve.co.uk/gps/UTMMGRS.html>
Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative Monitoring Grid <http://www.fws.gov/southwest/AboutUs/LCC/docs/GP_LCC_ReportFinalDraft_Hanni.pdf>
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
GeoPlan relied on the integrity of the attribute information within the original data.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
This data is provided 'as is'. GeoPlan relied on the integrity of the original data layer's topology
Completeness_Report:
This data is provided 'as is' by GeoPlan and is complete to our knowledge.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
This data is provided 'as is' and its horizontal positional accuracy has not been verified by GeoPlan
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
This data is provided 'as is' and its vertical positional accuracy has not been verified by GeoPlan
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Scale_Denominator: N/A
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: GeoPlan
Source_Contribution: Spatial and Attribute Information
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Using this UTM Zone's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) MGRS 100km Square Identifier polygon FGDB feature class as a template GeoPlan created this data layer via the following steps.
1. Using Xtools Pro Create Fishnet Tool expanded the UTM Zone's NGA layer (MGRS_100kmSQ_ID_GDZ) bounding coordinates. 2. Using Python parsed out each 100km polygon to it's own layer. 3. Using ArcGIS Create Fishnet Tool via Python, created fishnets for each new 100km polygon feature to a precision level of 100m. 4. Labeled each new 100m polygon fishnet feature via Python with it's correct attributes and MGRS coordinate. 5. Using ArcGIS Clip via Python, Clipped each labeled 100m polygon fishnet feature to the original MGRS_100kmSQ_ID_GDZ extent. 6. Imported results into it's correct UTM Grid Zone Designator File Geodatabase.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: GeoPlan
Process_Date: 20110404
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
7. Next GeoPlan dissolved all the MGRS_GZD_100m layers by their MGRS_1K field. 8. Next all the dissolved layers were Appended together. 9. Finally attributes were added and populated.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: GeoPlan
Process_Date: 20110404
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 469190
Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Planar:
Grid_Coordinate_System:
Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
Planar_Coordinate_Information:
Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair
Planar_Distance_Units: meters
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: MGRS_GZD_100m
Entity_Type_Definition: MGRS_GZD_100m.DBF
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: FID
Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape
Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: MGRS_UTM
Attribute_Definition:
UTM Grid Zone Designator (GZD). The first part of an MGRS coordinate is the grid-zone designation. The 6° wide UTM zones, numbered 1 through 60, are intersected by latitude bands that are normally 8° high, lettered C-X (omitting I and O). The north most latitude band, X, is 12° high. The intersection of a UTM zone and a latitude band is (normally) a 6° × 8° polygon called a grid zone, whose designation in MGRS is formed by the zone number (one or two digits - the number for zones 1 to 9 is just a single digit, followed by the latitude band letter (uppercase). This same notation is used in both UTM and MGRS, i.e. the UTM grid reference system.
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: MGRS_100K
Attribute_Definition:
Band letters representing 100,000-meter square identifier. The second part of an MGRS coordinate is the 100,000-meter square identification. Each UTM zone is divided into 100,000 meter squares, so that their corners have UTM-coordinates that are multiples of 100,000 meters. The identification consists of a column letter (A-Z, omitting I and O) followed by a row letter (A-V, omitting I and O).
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: MGRS_1K
Attribute_Definition:
1km numerical location within a 100,000 meter square. The resolution in this case is 1 kilometer, so the MGRS coordinate would represent a 1 kilometer square, where the easting and northing are measured to its southwest corner.
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: LABEL
Attribute_Definition:
MGRS Coordinate with a precision level of 1km (Example: 4QFJ123678).
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: DESCRIPT
Attribute_Definition: Based on LABEL.
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: FGDLAQDATE
Attribute_Definition: The date GeoPlan acquired the data from the Source.
Attribute_Definition_Source: GeoPlan
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: GeoPlan Center University of Florida
Contact_Person:
Contact_Position:
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 431 Architecture PO Box 115706
City: Gainesville
State_or_Province: Florida
Postal_Code: 32611-5706
Country: United States
Contact_Voice_Telephone:
Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone:
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Web site: <http://www.geoplan.ufl.edu/>
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Technical Support: <http://www.mgrs-data.org/>
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: MGRS Frequently Asked Questions: <http://www.mgrs-data.org/>
Hours_of_Service:
Contact_Instructions:
Resource_Description: DOWNLOADABLE DATA
Distribution_Liability:
The University of Florida GeoPlan Center makes no warranties, guaranties or representations as to the truth, accuracy, precision, or completeness of the GIS data available on <http://www.mgrs-data.org/> which is provided 'as is'. The University of Florida GeoPlan Center makes no representations or warranties about the quality or suitability of the materials, either expressly or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The University of Florida GeoPlan Center shall not be liable for any damages suffered as a result of using, modifying, contributing or distributing the materials.
A note about data scale:
Scale is an important factor in data usage. Certain scale datasets are not suitable for some project, analysis, or modeling purposes. Please be sure you are using the best available data.
1:24000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the county level. 1:24000 data should NOT be used for high accuracy base mapping such as property parcel boundaries. 1:100000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the multi-county or regional level. 1:125000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the regional or state level or larger.
Vector datasets with no defined scale or accuracy should be considered suspect. Make sure you are familiar with your data before using it for projects or analysis. Every effort has been made to supply the user with data documentation. For additional information, see the References section and the Data Source Contact section of this documentation. For more information regarding scale and accuracy, see our webpage at: <http://geoplan.ufl.edu/education.html>
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Transfer_Size: 0.000
Technical_Prerequisites:
This data is intended for use with a Geographic Information Systems or Remote Sensing software package.
Available_Time_Period:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 20110404
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20110426
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Florida GeoPlan Center
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 431 Architecture Building
Address: PO Box 115706
City: Gainesville
State_or_Province: FL
Postal_Code: 32611-5706
Country: USA
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: data@mgrs-data.org
Contact_Instructions: <http://www.mgrs-data.org/>
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>
Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile
Generated by mp version 2.9.6 on Wed Aug 31 09:56:41 2011