What does georeferencing refer to?

Georeferencing is the process of assigning real-world coordinates to spatial data, which allows for the accurate mapping and overlaying of various data sets onto a geographic framework. This is essential in fields like geospatial analysis, cartography, and geographic information systems (GIS), as it ensures that the spatial data aligns correctly with geographic locations on the Earth's surface. By establishing a relationship between the data and a coordinate reference system, georeferencing enables users to visualize and analyze spatial information in a meaningful way, facilitating accurate interpretation and decision-making.

The other options do not encompass the core definition of georeferencing: converting geographic data to 3D models pertains more to modeling techniques rather than the allocation of spatial coordinates; calculating the area of geographical regions is a quantitative analysis not directly related to positioning; and creating pathways in spatial data systems relates to data management and navigation rather than the fundamental process of mapping spatial information to real-world coordinates.