Geodetic Point

a point on the earth’s surface, the location of which is fixed in a certain system of coordinates and altitudes on the basis of geodetic measurements.

The coordinates of a geodetic point are determined mainly by the method of triangulation. In this case, a geodetic point is called a point of triangulation or a trigonometric point. If the coordinates of a geodetic point are fixed by the method of polygonometry, then it is called a polygonometric point. The altitudes of geodetic points are determined by the method of leveling. In general, points of triangulation and polygonometric points do not coincide with points of leveling. Points of triangulation, polygonometric points, and leveling points are designated and secured at the site by means of special markers set up for the purpose. The system of mutually connected geodetic points forms the geodetic network, which serves as a basis for the topographical study of the earth’s surface and for all sorts of geodetic measurements for various needs of engineering and the national economy.