storing google map lat/long

[Euclid Me]

hi,

i am working on a loc based concept. stuck on a few issues.

how do we store the lat/lng decimals (google map api) to a "point" datatype in mysql.

example for paris
lat - 48.8372
lng - 2.33

do we store it as GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(48.8372 2.33234)') or do
i need to convert to any specific format.

storing it as float column will not suffice as all the spatial quering fu

dont i do need to store them as point/linestring/polygon to use data query functions like glenght/exteriorring ?

eg given "n" mile radius from a base point finding matching locations


thanks,
px