The National Map

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

The National Map – Sharing Geospatial Data in the 21st Century

Barbara J. Ryan

Associate Director for Geography

U.S. Geological Survey

18th International CODATA Conference

Montreal, Canada

30 September 2002


	For more than 50 years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has produced about 55,000 separate 7.5-minute topographic maps of the United States to meet needs for geographic base information. We completed once-over mapping of the Nation in the early 1990’s. These maps are a national treasure. It would cost well over one billion dollars to recreate them. Unfortunately, traditional approaches to topographic mapping have not enabled USGS to maintain the currentness of these maps and the usefulness of this massive collection of vital information is jeopardized. The average age of a 7.5-minute map today is 23 years.

	As USGS maps and related digital data have aged, there have been advances in technology and a diffusion of mapping capabilities to other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector. The broad involvement of many sectors in creating and maintaining base geographic information offers exciting possibilities for addressing needs for current and accurate national base data. As a result, USGS has reconsidered its role and processes for ensuring the availability of this information. Our vision for the 21^st century is called “The National Map.”