Define Universal Transverse Mercator.

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) is a global map projection system developed to provide accurate and consistent representation of the Earth's surface on maps. This cylindrical projection divides the world into a series of zones, each with its own coordinate system, providing a compromise between preserving shape, area, and distance within a specified zone. The UTM system is widely used for mapping and navigation, especially in military, surveying, and geographic information systems (GIS) applications.

Key characteristics of the UTM system include:

1. Zonal Division:
   The Earth is divided into six-degree longitudinal zones, each assigned a specific numerical designation from 1 to 60, starting from 180°W to 180°E. Each zone encompasses 6 degrees of longitude, except for special cases around Norway and Svalbard, where narrower zones are used.

2. Cylindrical Projection:
   The UTM projection is based on a transverse Mercator projection, where a cylinder is wrapped around the Earth along the central meridian of each UTM zone. This minimizes distortion within each zone, providing an accurate representation of the landscape.

3. Coordinate System:
   UTM uses a Cartesian coordinate system, measuring distance in meters. The coordinates consist of an easting value (distance east of the central meridian) and a northing value (distance north of the equator or south of the equator in the southern hemisphere).

4. Zone-specific Parameters:
   Each UTM zone has its own set of parameters to ensure accurate mapping within that specific region. These parameters include a central meridian, a false northing for the southern hemisphere, and a scale factor.

5. Conformality:
   UTM is designed to maintain conformality within each zone, meaning that angles and shapes are preserved, making it suitable for applications where accurate representation of features on the Earth's surface is crucial.

6. Global Coverage:
   By combining the zones, the UTM system covers the entire globe. The transition between zones introduces some distortion, but this is considered acceptable for many mapping applications, given the advantages of using a zonal system.

The UTM system simplifies coordinate systems for mapping purposes, providing a standardized way to represent locations with accuracy within specific regions. Its simplicity, ease of use, and widespread acceptance make UTM a valuable tool for various fields, including cartography, navigation, surveying, and GIS applications across the globe.