I'm using the google maps api for geocoding addresses. If I geocode a plain location name (e.g. Munich) the api returns corresponding latitude and longitude.
To which position do these coordinates refer to? Is it the (geographical) center of the location or the position of the administrative headquarter or what else?
They refer to the equator which is latitude=0° and the prime meridian which is longitude=0°. This represents the central point (starting point).
You can look at it as to the Cartesian coordinate system starting from (0,0)=(x,y) and retrieving all the other places by changing the x(long) and y(lat) coordinates. So yes, the answer is geographical centre.
EDIT: url (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spel7vfkpNc starting at 2:43
Basically, companies within the country decide on which lat, long will a city, country when searched appear. For example if you are searching for London the pin point will be assigned to particular coordinates depending on the company decision.
