Geomatics is the science, art, and technology of determining the relative positions of points above, on,

or beneath the Earth’s surface, or of establishing such points. Having to know how it all started is greatly
significant for our fundamental knowledge of how everything works in surveying. Starting off with the
Egyptian Era, Egypt is the oldest historical records in existence in today’s time. According to Herodotus,
Sesostris who is the king of ancient Egypt divided the land of Egypt into plots for the purpose of
taxation. It is said that annual floods of the Nile River swept away some parts of the plots and then
surveyors were called to replace the boundaries. These early surveyors were called “rope-stretchers”,
they were called rope-stretchers because they use ropes with markers that determine unit distances.
After all of these, it is said that early Greek thinkers developed the science of geometry.

It is known to men that Heron was standing out amongst other greek for his application of science in
surveying in about 120 B.C. He authored books that have a great significance in the field of surveying
including The Dioptra which related the methods of surveying in field, drawing a plan and making
related calculations. It is also considered as one of the first piece of surveying equipment recorded
which is the diopter. As years pass by and as Heron’s work was the most authoritative among Greek and
Egyptian surveyors, significant development in surveying came from the mind of the Romans.

Frontinus lead the Romans in the field of surveying whose best known on writing about surveying.
Unfortunately his original writings or manuscripts disappeared but thankfully some copied portions of
his writings were preserved. Frontinus lived in the first century and was the pioneer in the field of
surveying and his essay became the standard for many years. Romans are known for their extensive
ability in the field of engineering. Surveying necessary for the construction of the Romans resulted in
creating an organization of a surveyor’s guild. Brilliant instruments were developed and used that time.
Some of these were the groma which is used for sighting, another one is labella which is an A-frame
with a plumb bob used for leveling. There is also a chorobates which is a horizontal straight edge about
20 feet long with supporting legs and a groove on top for water to serve as a level.

One of the oldest Latin manuscripts in existence is the Codex Acerianus which is written in about the
sixth century. It contains writings about surveying as practiced by the Romans. The manuscript was then
found in the 10th century by Gerbert and it been served as the basis for his text on geometry. The Arabs
kept the science of Greek and Roman alive during the Middle Ages. Little by little, progress was made in
the art of surveying and the only writings pertaining to it were called “Practical Geometry”.

In the 13th Century, Von Piso wrote Practica Geometria which contained instructions on surveying. Von
Piso also wrote a book entitled Liber Quadratorum that deals mainly with quadrans which is a square
having a 90 degrees angle and other graduated scales. A movable pointer was used then for sighting.
Other instruments of the period were also available such as the astrolabe which is a metal circle with a
pointer hinged at its center and held by a ring at top. They also have the cross staff which is a wooden
rod about 4 feet is long with an adjustable cross arm.
Early civilizations assumed the Earth to be a flat surface, but by noting the Earth’s circular shadow on
the moon during lunar eclipses and watching ships gradually disappear as they sailed toward the
horizon, it was slowly deduced that the planet actually curved in all directions. Erathosthenes was the
first to compute the dimensions of the earth which has intrigued humans for centuries. He had
concluded that the Egyptian cities of Alexandria and Syene were located approximately at the same
meridian .

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the art of surveying advanced more rapidly. Maps and locations of
national boundaries were needed at that time that caused England and France to make extensive
surveys requiring accurate triangulation and with this Geodetic Surveying began. The U.S. Coast Survey
(now the National Geodetic Survey of the U.S. Department of Commerce) was established by an act of
Congress in 1807. Its initial purpose was to perform hydrographic surveys and prepare nautical charts.
Later its activities were added that includes establishment of reference monuments of precisely known
positions throughout the country.

In addition to meeting the demands and needs of the civilians, surveying also played an important role
in our nation’s defense activities. Different wars demanded precise measurements and accurate maps.
This opportunity allows the developing of improvement of the instruments and methods. Surveying also
contributed to the space program where new equipment and system were needed to provide precise
control for missile alignment and for mapping and determining the points or position of the moon and
nearby planets.

Surveying is continuously developing throughout our time. Surveying and mapping equipment has now
evolved to the point that the traditional instruments we used are now replaced with a high tech and
more automated versions. These include electronic total station instruments, which can be used to
automatically measure and record horizontal and vertical distances, and horizontal and vertical angles;
and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as the global positioning system (GPS) that can
provide precise location information for virtually any type of survey. Laser-scanning instruments
combine automatic distance and angle measurements to compute dense grids of coordinated points.
Also new aerial cameras and remote sensing instruments have been developed, which provide images in
digital form, and these images can be processed to obtain spatial information and maps using new
digital photogrammetric restitution instruments. The 3D mobile mapping system is an integrated
system consisting of scanners, GNSS receiver, inertial measurement unit, and a high-quality
hemispherical digital camera that can map all items within 30 m of the vehicle as the vehicle travels at
highway speeds.
Surveying is one of the world’s oldest and most important arts because, as noted previously, from the
earliest times it has been necessary to mark boundaries and divide land. Surveying has now become
indispensable to our modern way of life. Some of the most important roles of surveying in the world are
as follows:

1. Map the Earth above and below sea level;

Of course, having to know different areas or location on Earth both in land and sea are very crucial for
humans living in the world. Without knowing where we could go we may be lost and at some point we
might be in danger. A map is any sort of an organized representation of a given physical space. Maps
typically try to show relevant aspects of the actual physical space that they represent on a much smaller
scale. Maps can show a variety of things. Maps can show where streets run in a city. They can show
where certain physical features such as mountains and rivers are. They can show what areas of the
world make up the territories of the various countries. Maps are very important because of the
information that they can impart to us. For example, a road map is very important for a person who is
trying to travel in an unfamiliar place. A topographical map can show a civil engineer where the best
place to put a road would be. The engineer can look at the map and see what route would be easiest to
build. At the same time, though, that engineer might want to look at another map that shows land
ownership. The engineer might have to consider both the topography and who owns the land when
considering where to put the road.

2. Prepare navigational charts for use in the air, on land, and at sea;

Surveying is very important in terms of navigation. Surveying is used to map the directions and distance
of each location in order to safely travel from one place to another. Not only surveying allows us to
show the distance and direction of each location but also it helps us to locate where the danger zone is
or if there is any obstacles present.

3. Establish property boundaries of private and public lands;

It is necessary to mark the boundaries on the ground, so that they are clear to observers standing on or
near the property. Also surveying and land surveying is intended to provide the evidence needed by the
title insurer to delete certain standard exceptions to coverage and thereby provide “extended coverage”
against off-record title matters including matters that would be revealed by an accurate survey.

4. Develop data banks of land-use and natural resource information that aid in managing our
environment;

Surveying also helps in identifying different lands that may aid in managing our environment such as in
the forest. GPS is used in order to control and prevent fire, harvesting operations, insect infestation,
boundary determination, and aerial spraying. GPS is a key technology that enables the system operator
to identify and monitor the exact location of the resources. In the past, aerial photography was the only
means of providing information on the shape and location of cut blocks before completing harvesting
operations. Such information was often lacking accuracy. With the use of differential GPS, however, this
information can be accurately determined in real time. GPS has also been a very useful tool for wildlife
management and insect infestation. Using its precise positioning capability, GPS can determine the
locations of activity centers. These locations can be easily accessed using GPS waypoint navigation. GPS
surveying is becoming the preferred method for forest boundaries determination. With real-time GPS,
up to 75% time and cost reductions can be obtained.

5. Determine facts on the size, shape, gravity, and magnetic fields of the earth;

Having to know the size, shape, gravity, and magnetic fields of the earth help us all to determine and
analyze why the Earth is not precise in terms of land shape and sea depth. With surveying and through
the advancement on the technologies we can now determine the exact shape and size of the earth.

6. Prepare charts of our moon and planets.

Not only surveying is applicable on earth but it is also applicable on our solar systems. Surveying help in
determining the exact coordinates of different planets and our moon. With these coordinates we are
able to know how the planets revolve by determining its revolution with a basis of a point of reference.

We then know that surveying is important in all fields not only for engineering. To summarize
everything, surveying is important because surveying helps in fixing the national and state boundaries in
order to avoid conflict. Surveying is also used to chart coastlines, navigable streams and lakes. Surveying
helps in establishing control points. Also, surveying is used to execute hydrographic and oceanographic
charting and mapping. And lastly surveying is used to prepare topographic map of land surface of the
earth.

There are many and different organizations that involves surveying or geomatics both locally and
internationally. These different organizations are not popular but they definitely contribute a lot in our
society not only through information but also by development.

Local:

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) is mandated to provide the public
with mapmaking services and to act as the central mapping agency, depository, and distribution facility
for natural resources data in the form of maps, charts, texts, and statistics. NAMRIA is mandated to
establish and maintain the Philippine Geodetic Reference System, the primary reference for all surveying
and mapping in the country. It is in line with this mandate that the agency is undertaking the
modernization of the national geodetic system (NGS) as part of its core initiatives under its vision of
helping to build a geospatially-empowered Philippines by 2020. NAMRIA produces updated topographic
base maps and derivative maps at various scales, in paper form or digital data, for use by the national
government agencies, local government units, the academe, the scientific community, and the private
sector. These are used as basic tools and common reference in most aspects of governance such as
development planning; disaster-risk reduction and management, and delivery of government services.
The main role of DPWH is to provide vital infrastructures to this developing country of 7,107 islands.
Mainly hampering the socio-economic development of the country are the various water-induced
disasters brought about by its geographic and meteorological conditions. DPWH is currently responsible
for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, especially the national
highways, flood control and water resources development system, and other public works in accordance
with national development objectives.

DENR is mandated to be the primary government agency responsible for the conservation,
management, development and proper use of the country's environment and natural resources,
including those in reservations, watershed areas and lands of the public domain, as well as the licensing
and regulation of all natural resources utilization as may be provided by law in order to ensure equitable
sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of
Filipinos. Based on the above mandate, the DENR envisions to pass on to Filipinos a renewed hope in
people's ability to chart a new direction for development and a legacy of a self-sustaining environment,
mindful of people's rights to a life of dignity.

International:

International Federation of Surveyors is an international, non-government organization whose current

vision (2011 – 2014) is for a Profession, armed with knowledge and best practices, extending the
usefulness of surveying for the benefit of society, environment and economy, with the Profession
increasingly positioned in significance and relevance. FIG supports international collaboration for the
extension and progress of surveying in all its discipline, fields and applications. FIG represents the
interests of surveyors worldwide. It is a federation of the national member associations together with
affiliates, academic and corporate members as well as correspondents, covers the whole range of
professional discipline and fields dealing with the natural and built environment, with land (and the
seas, its natural resources and structures thereon), construction and property. FIG provides for this
global surveying community the international forum for discussion and professional development
aiming to promote the Profession’s sciences and technologies, knowledge, standards and practices and
extend its usefulness.

U.S. Geological Survey provides science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods;
the water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources we rely on; the health of our ecosystems and
environment; and the impacts of climate and land-use change. Our scientists develop new methods and
tools to supply timely, relevant, and useful information about the Earth and its processes.

American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS) aims to lead the

community of geodetic, surveying, and land information data users through the 21st
century. This will require AAGS to develop new educational programs, including
presentations, seminars, and workshops on topics related to geodetic surveying;
and articles and papers that inform the membership of the latest scientific and
technological developments and how to implement them in the most cost-effective
and efficient manner.

The Surveying and Geomatics Educators Society (SAGES) holds pedagogical conferences on the
instruction of surveying/geomatics in higher educational institutions.

American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) is a leading provider of technical and professional
conferences and continuing education, the world’s largest publisher of civil engineering content, and an
authoritative source for codes and standards that protect the public.

NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) provides the framework for all positioning activities in the
Nation. The foundational elements of latitude, longitude, elevation, and shoreline information impact a
wide range of important activities.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) prepares land-use plans, also known as Resource Management
Plans (RMPs). RMPs serve as blueprints for keeping public landscapes healthy and productive for
multiple-use. As these RMPs are prepared, the BLM invites and values local voices and diverse views;
respects the ties that native and traditional communities have to the land; and develops partnerships
that bring successful resource stewardship.

Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) is the only national
association of firms in the surveying, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United
States. MAPPS member firms are engaged in surveying, photogrammetry, satellite and airborne remote
sensing, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS and GIS data
collection and conversion services.

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) controls and manages Coast Guard radio navigation
systems from sites in Alexandria, Virginia and Petaluma, California. In addition to reliable navigation
signals, NAVCEN provides users worldwide with information and timely operational status reports on
the GPS, DGPS and Loran-C navigation systems.

The U.S. Naval Observatory performs an essential scientific role for the United States, the Navy, and the
Department of Defense. Its mission includes determining the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun,
Moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects; providing astronomical data; determining precise time;
measuring the Earth's rotation; and maintaining the Master Clock for the United States. Observatory
astronomers formulate the theories and conduct the relevant research necessary to improve these
mission goals.

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) is a scientific association serving
over 7,000 professional members around the world. Their mission is to advance knowledge and improve
understanding of mapping sciences to promote the responsible applications of photogrammetry,
remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and supporting technologies.
 American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) enhance education, technical and professional
development in surveying, mapping, and related fields. It supported educational programs and
publications to those interests. Regularly sponsors technical meetings at various locations throughout
the country. These meetings bring together large numbers of surveyors for presentation of papers,
discussion of new ideas and problems, and exhibition of the latest in surveying equipment.