What is meant by "georeferencing"?

Georeferencing refers to the process of assigning real-world coordinates to spatial data, effectively linking it to geographic locations on the Earth's surface. This is crucial in remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) because it allows disparate data sources to be accurately aligned with maps or other spatial information.

When data, such as images from satellites or aerial photographs, is collected, it may not initially contain any reference to specific geographic positions. By georeferencing, each pixel or data point can be associated with a coordinate system, typically using latitude and longitude or a specific projection system. Once the data is georeferenced, it becomes possible to analyze spatial relationships, conduct various analyses, and make accurate decisions based on the mapped information.

The other options refer to different concepts within geospatial science. Creating 3D maps relates to visualization rather than coordinate assignment. Measuring distance between geographic points pertains to spatial calculations, and mapping the history of land use focuses on temporal changes rather than geographical referencing. Each of these aspects plays a role in broader geospatial analysis but does not specifically define the georeferencing process.