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International activities have been an active component of the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) Geography Discipline (previously named - National Mapping
Programs (NMP)) for more than four decades. These activities have included
demonstration projects conducted for other countries and international
organizations, scientific cooperation with foreign mapping agencies, exchange
of scientists, training of foreign scientists and technicians, and representation
of the USGS or U.S. Government in international organizations, commissions,
and associations. The USGS conducts international activities in support
of United States foreign policy objectives and to expand its knowledge
of the mapping sciences. This knowledge directly benefits National Mapping
Programs through advancements of surveying, mapping, remote sensing, and
geographic information systems (GIS) concepts, and development of advanced
field and laboratory techniques.
International activities conducted by the Geography Discipline usually
are at the request of either the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Department of State (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), foreign governments,
and international organizations. Foreign activities are authorized by
legislation and by DOS Circular 175 approved international agreements.
Many of Geography Discipline`s foreign activities are in support of
national or international organizations such as the National Science Foundation
(NSF) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
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