GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a navigational aid system developed by the US military, funded by US taxpayers, and maintained by the US Air Force. It consist
…s of 3 components: 30 orbiting satellites (24 active, 6 spares) containing precision atomic clocks and transmitting coded information, US Air Force ground stations that monitor and manage the satellites and send corrections to them as needed, and user receivers that pick up the signals transmitted by the satellites and compute latitude/longitude and display the resulting information in a format most helpful for that type of user. Cartography is the science or practice of drawing maps. (MORE) 
