The State Plane Coordinate System uses this projection for all zones that have a greater east–west extent. This projection is one of the best for middle latitudes. It is similar to the Albers Conic Equal Area projection except that Lambert Conformal Conic portrays shape more accurately than area. Click Here for more information

State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) is not a projection (also known as SPC, State Plane, and State). It is a coordinate system that divides the 50 states of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands into more than 120 numbered sections, referred to as zones. Each zone has an assigned code number that defines the projection parameters for the region. Click here for more information.

While a spheroid approximates the shape of the earth, a datum defines the position of the spheroid relative to the center of the earth. A datum provides a frame of reference for measuring locations on the surface of the earth. It defines the origin and orientation of latitude and longitude lines. Click here for more information.

The main aim in creating the SPCS was to design a conformal mapping system for the entire country while maintaining a maximum scale distortion of 1 part in 10,000. In 1933 this was considered the limit of surveying accuracy. In order to attain this accuracy, the larger states needed to be divided into smaller zones or FIPS. Each zone or FIPS has its own central meridian or standard parallels to maintain accuracy. The State of Texas is divided into 5 FIPS Zones.