Surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them, on the surface of the Earth. Traditionally the work of a surveyor was to establish cadastral maps for demarcations of boundaries for land ownership. The survey profession dates back to the Egyptian times during which precision measurements of angle and distance measurements in building the pyramids. Since that time, the principle of land surveying of measuring angles and distances in relation to each other has remained the same. What have changed over this period are the survey techniques and the survey application.
Techniques like the digital world of Information Computer Technology; the Satellite imagery; aerial Photography; GIS and GPS have totally revolutionalised the land surveying profession to far much greater heights than ever imagined. Remote sensing images provide digital spatial data which are analyzed by geographical information systems (GIS), followed by global distribution through complex infrastructures, and visualized on print or digital format. Earth sciences are relying increasingly on this acquired and processed information. The technologies which process these data and provide significant information for various analytical studies form the core of geo-informatics. However, relying solely on technological skills will not suffice or serve the interests of organizations which are involved in processing of such geo-information. Skilled scientific professionals are required for analysis and dissemination of the acquired geo-informatics data, who can keep pace with the rapid changes and developments taking place in the scientific world. These professionals equipped with latest technologies are competent in validating the relevancy of developments, designing new systems and infrastructures, and exploring new-edge technology for efficient and effective implementation.
This book is intended to provide a unique forum for exchange of new ideas on geographic information sciences and technologies among professionals engaged in geo-informatics and GIScience. Exchange of ideas among surveying professionals globally are responsible for augmenting the profession to much greater heights. This book will explore the surveying profession, look at what it was and show what it is today and the opportunities on its far reaching applications created by the new technologies mentioned above.
