GPS is the abbreviation for global positioning system. This is a system developed by the USA government/dept of Defence that uses 24 dedicated satellites orbiting the Earth to triangulate a specific location of a receiver (GPS device). It does this by transmitting time information towards the surface of the Earth. The receiver (GPS device) uses that information and its own time settings to calculate your current location (picking up 3 satellites will give you latitude and longitude and if you can pick up 4 or more satellites, your altitude). Originally designed purely for military purposes, in the early 1980s the decision was made to open up system availability to the public for use around the globe. The public GPS information calculated is only accurate to about 10-15 metres.

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