The status of cartographic activities in the United States of America
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1996-10Author(s)/Corporate Author (s)
United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa;Metadata
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The Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for the preparation of maps, charts and geodetic products on a worldwide (international) basis to meet national defense requirements and for the preparation of nautical and aeronautical products to support the safety of navigation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has the national responsibility for preparing and making available multi-purpose maps and base cartographic data in a variety of forms. In recent years, the USGS has concentrated on digitizing base categories of data on topographic maps, such as hypsography, hydrography, and transportation systems, to create a National Digital Cartographic Data Base (NDCDB). Other Federal agencies are responsible for collecting additional map data of public value. The National Ocean Service (NOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for geodetic surveys and for the preparation of aeronautical and nautical charts. NOS monitors, assesses, and forecasts conditions in the coastal and oceanic environment to support effective management, promoting a healthy, safe, and economically productive coastal and oceanic environment for present and future generations. NOS is the primary civil agency within the Federal Government responsible for the health and safety of our nation's coastal and oceanic environment.