MATLAB: Geo or Map Raster Reference Orientation

Mapping Toolboxraster projection

I work with remote sensing data.
I cannot wrap my head around the two fields in the geographical or map raster reference structure:
ColumnsStartFrom: 'south' OR 'north' RowsStartFrom: 'west' OR 'east'
In my head, I cannot align columns along north-south and rows along east-west. I tend to think
that columns should be along east-west and rows along north-south and always have to plot that
data, observe its orientation, and do some trial and error to get the two fields right.
What am I doing wrong? Does anyone else has faced the same issue or is it just me?

Best Answer

Look at it this way, you have A of size MxN. then each element of A can be referenced as A(r,c) or
A(1,1) A(1,2) A(1,3)
A(2,1) A(2,2) A(2,3)
A(3,1) A(3,2) A(3,3)
A(4,1) A(4,2) A(4,3)
A(5,1) A(5,2) A(5,3)
A(6,1) A(6,2) A(6,3)
So when we refer to a column this means keeping the C constant and changing r or row. So although we are talking about a column but it is indeed the row which is changing. So If the data is like above then the columns starts from the north. However, if the data should be displayed like this:
A(6,1) A(6,2) A(6,3)
A(5,1) A(5,2) A(5,3)
A(4,1) A(4,2) A(4,3)
A(3,1) A(3,2) A(3,3)
A(2,1) A(2,2) A(2,3)
A(1,1) A(1,2) A(1,3)
the you should choose column starts from south. The same goes for rows. Both of the above matrices are the row starts from left or west. But if you flip it then you choose the other one.
Related Question