Discipline:

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).