title: Best way of storing GPS coordinates in database
body: <p>Is there a best practices as to what format GPS coordinates should be stored in the database and then just convert it to the required format when requested?</p>
  
  <p>I have the following:</p>
  
  <pre><code>S33° 56' 51.972" E18° 51' 25.83"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is it good to store it like this in the database or in another format? I'm just wondering because it contains a degree symbol and minutes and seconds symbols.</p>
  
  <p>Would the above needed to be saved as an <code>NVARCHAR(50)</code> or will <code>VARCHAR(50)</code> be sufficient?</p>
  
  <p>I am using <code>SQL Server</code> but this should be applicable to all forms of databases.</p>