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Given that you are already using degrees, arc-minutes, and arc-seconds in your specifications of latitude and longitude, it makes sense to use a unit of distances that meshes with them. Using meters makes less sense because it doesn't work well with the size of the Earth.

Difficulties with measurements and conversions are like a dead cat under the carpet - no matter how you push it about there's always an inconvenient lump and a bad smell. The Earth is inconveniently shaped, and you simply have to deal with it. The existing system of measurements may offend your sense of taste, but it has evolved over time to be useful to those who have to use it. Attempts to devise systems a priori and without taking into account the extensive experience of those who actually use them have always failed.

There's probably a reason for that.



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