Global Positioning System or GPS is a satellite based navigation and precise-positioning tool originally developed for military applications. It was designed to assist soldiers and military vehicles, planes and ships to accurately determine their locations world-wide. The government made the system available for civilian use during the 80s. At present, the uses of GPS include both the commercial and scientific worlds.

Some of the commercial uses of GPS include its use as navigation and positioning tool in airplanes, boats, cars and almost all outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing and kayaking. GPS has made itself useful in the scientific world in the area of earth science such as for weather forecasting, global climate studies, surveying and earthquake studies.