ETRS89-LAEA (EPSG:3035)
Nov 5,2025

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Introduction

ETRS89-LAEA is a geographic coordinate system formed by combining the European Terrestrial Reference System (ETRS89) with the Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area Projection (LAEA), which is mainly used for spatial data unification within the European Union. It takes the center of the earth as the origin and uses an equal area projection to keep the area unchanged, making it suitable for large-scale statistical analysis and environmental monitoring. This coordinate system is promoted by the European Organization for Surveying and Mapping (EUROSTAT) and is one of the standardized projections recommended by the INSPIRE directive.

Coordinate System Composition

The composition of the ETRS89-LAEA coordinate system can be analyzed from three aspects: the datum, projection method, and parameter settings:

Datum: This coordinate system is based on the European Terrestrial Reference System 1989 (ETRS89), which utilizes the GRS 1980 ellipsoid to define the shape and size of the Earth's ellipsoid. It is connected to the actual geographical locations across the European continent, providing a precise geographic reference framework for the coordinate system.
Projection Method: It employs the Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area (LAEA) projection, an equal-area projection that maintains the proportional relationship between areas on the map and their corresponding actual areas on the Earth's surface. This makes it suitable for geographical analyses requiring precise area calculations, such as environmental monitoring and land-use planning.
Parameter Settings:

Central Point Coordinates: The projection center is located at 52°N latitude and 10°E longitude, ensuring minimal distortion across most of Europe after projection.
False Easting and False Northing: False easting of 4,321,000 meters and false northing of 3,210,000 meters are set to relocate the origin of the projected coordinate system to a more convenient geographical location, facilitating calculations and usage.
Unit: Meters are used as the unit, giving coordinate values practical significance and enabling straightforward distance and area calculations.

Pros

Accurate Area Representation: Due to the use of an equal-area projection (LAEA), this coordinate system maintains a consistent ratio between areas on the map and their actual counterparts on the ground, making it highly suitable for scenarios requiring precise area calculations, such as environmental monitoring and land-use planning.
European-Wide Applicability: The ETRS89 datum is closely tied to the actual geographical locations across the European continent. Combined with the LAEA projection method, this coordinate system offers high precision and applicability throughout Europe.
Standardization and Uniformity: As one of the widely used coordinate systems within the European Union, ETRS89-LAEA facilitates the unification and standardization of spatial data, enabling seamless data sharing and collaboration among different institutions and countries.

Cons

Shape and Direction Distortion: Although the LAEA projection maintains area without distortion, certain degrees of shape and direction distortion may occur during the projection process, particularly in regions far from the projection center.
Limited Global Applicability: Since the ETRS89 datum is primarily optimized for the European continent, the applicability of this coordinate system may be restricted on a global scale, especially in areas far from Europe.
High Computational Complexity: Compared to some simpler projection methods, the calculations involved in the LAEA projection can be more complex, requiring greater computational power and more precise data processing.

Application Scenario

The ETRS89-LAEA coordinate system is mainly used in spatial data analysis and environmental monitoring within Europe, such as land use planning, natural resource management, climate change research, etc. Because of its equal-area characteristics, it is particularly suitable for scenarios that require accurate area calculations. It is also widely used under the EU's INSPIRE directive framework to support cross-border geographic data sharing and standardization, such as infrastructure planning, disaster risk assessment, and ecological protection projects. In addition, the coordinate system is also suitable for regional statistical analysis and public policy formulation to ensure the consistency and comparability of data across the European continent.