What is another name for a projected coordinate system?

A projected coordinate system is indeed often referred to as a Cartesian coordinate system because it uses a two-dimensional grid to define locations in a consistent manner. In a projected coordinate system, the earth's three-dimensional surface is represented on a flat surface, which involves the use of a rectangular grid defined by coordinates that can be easily manipulated for analyses such as area measurement, distance calculation, and more.

The Cartesian coordinate system specifically employs perpendicular axes (X and Y) to locate points in space. This grid system allows for straightforward calculations and integrations with various spatial analysis tools in GIS applications. It contrasts with geographic coordinate systems, which use latitude and longitude to represent locations on a sphere, making calculations more complex compared to a projected system's planar approach.

In summary, recognizing that a projected coordinate system translates the complex surface of the Earth into a flat, manageable format is critical to understanding its applications in GIS, and referring to it as a Cartesian coordinate system emphasizes the mathematical and analytical ease it provides.