Inter American Geodetic Survey (IAGS)

NGA MUSEUM EXHIBIT GUIDE
Images used throughout the exhibit Mapping the Americas, and within 

the Exhibit Guide, are from donations made by IAGS veterans to the 

NGA Archives. All images are government owned.
1946

MAPPING THE AMERICAS

Little known to most Americans today, the Inter American Geodetic Survey 

(IAGS) successfully assisted Latin American countries in professionally mapping 

their own extensive territories.

After World War II revealed a lack of accurate maps of the Western Hemisphere, 

IAGS staff proposed in 1946 that they assist 

Central and South American countries by 

providing technical support in all phases of 

their mapping programs.

1 1946
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THE MISSION

I

nitially managed by the Army Map 

Service (AMS) and later by an NGA 

predecessor agency, the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), IAGS operated under 

diplomatic agreements. Each agreement was 

negotiated by the State Department with the 

various Latin American countries. These alliances laid the groundwork for an American 

staff to work alongside Hispanic technicians 

and students to map their own countries.

The primary mission of IAGS was to make 

the countries cartographically self-sufficient. In return for its support, the United 

States gained access to all originally gathered data. It also benefitted from building 

strong relationships with various governments and national leaders.

5
One trek, made prior to helicopter usage,

took nine weeks for a team to arrive at the

triangulation station. Food, equipment, and

other supplies were carried in on the team

members’ backs.

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THE CARTOGRAPHIC 

SCHOOL Between 1946 and 1952, Americans 

trained local nationals on the job, 

teaching them to create maps of their own 

country. As the need for more advanced 

training became apparent, AMS established 

the IAGS Cartographic School. Founded in 

1952 and located near IAGS headquarters 

in the Panama Canal Zone, the school had 

two specific objectives. First, the school 

staff standardized teaching techniques as 

well as procedures and specifications for 

mapping and charting. The second goal 

was to help develop self-sufficient national 

cartographic agencies in Latin America.

All instruction was offered in Spanish. The 

courses ran from eight to sixteen weeks, 

and over time, the curriculum came to offer 

special instruction in basic photogrammetry, 

advanced photogrammetry, cartographic 

drafting, triangulation and supplemental 

control, geodetic computation, astronomy, 

basic vertical control, field classification, 

and map compilation.

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THE 937TH ARMY

ENGINEER COMPANY The 937th Engineer Company supported 

field operations by flying reconnais-

sance and transporting supplies and people 

to work sites. Its work proved invaluable 

to the IAGS mission. Light planes enabled 

IAGS surveyors to spot the easiest routes 

through rough terrain and pick the best 

sites for survey stations. Helicopters trans-

ported men and gear, which saved days of 

hacking through dense jungle or carefully 

climbing up icy mountains. Airlifts of food, 

water, and other supplies cut down on ex-

hausting and time-consuming packing trips.

As the illustrations suggest, the 937th 

Engineer Company also assisted with many 

rescues and humanitarian operations over 

the years, from hurricane, flood, and earth-

quake relief to transporting accident 

victims. When locations were too remote 

to quickly get the necessary help, the 937th 

Engineer Company expertly flew essential 

IAGS missions.

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During the 1970s pressure slowly mounted

to end IAGS. By the 1980s, a combination of

budgetary reductions and the Panama Canal

Treaty of 1977 triggered the relocation of IAGS

Headquarters to Fort Sam Houston in

San Antonio, Texas. Nine years later

IAGS was disestablished. 

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Area of operations for IAGS was over

eight million square miles—almost

three times the size of the continental

United States.

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THE LEGACY I

AGS teams climbed, paddled, and hacked 

their way across most of a hemisphere. 

The dedicated men and women produced 

remarkable work despite many challenges. 

Their efforts led to the standardization of 

maps, acquisition of new geographic data, 

development of numerous cartographic 

agencies, and education of new cartogra-

phers, while generating international good-

will across Central and South America.

Although incidents resulting in injury and 

death were rare over the tenure of IAGS, 

approximately twenty-five IAGS staff mem-

bers died while serving the mission.

The achievements of IAGS further bene-

fitted Latin America by encouraging eco-

nomic development. With maps as the key, 

countries could engage in nation-building 

activities such as highway construction, 

river navigation, hydroelectric dams, and 

oil exploration. Thanks to the IAGS, they 

14 knew their countries better than ever.
At its height, IAGS employed over

750 personnel, over 50 percent

of whom were military.

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THE IAGS SEAL

• The disc shape of the insignia represents the surface of the bench 

 mark and triangulation station markers used with geodetic surveying.

• The blue triangle symbolizes survey work.

• The Engineer Castle indicates that the Army Corps of Engineers was 

 responsible for accomplishing the cartographic work in Latin America.

• The various colors represent the basic colors of the national flags of 

 the countries in which the IAGS operated.

• The inscription “Servicio Geodesico Interamericano” is the Spanish 

 translation of the program’s name.

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1946 – Establishment of IAGS by President Harry Truman

1950 – The United States entered the Korean War

1952 – Establishment of the Cartographic School at Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone

1960 – Cuba became the first country in which surveying was complete.

1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis

1968 – Army Map Service is redesignated the Army Topographic Command

1972 – IAGS becomes a component of DMA

1975 – US pulls troops out of Vietnam

1976 – 1:50,000 topographic scale maps were completed in all Central American nations. 

1980 – IAGS HQ moves to Fort Sam Houston, TX

1981 – IBM markets the first personal computer

1982 – 4.8 million square mile of topographic maps were published by the IAGS

 cooperating nations 

1989 – DMA IAGS is disestablished under President George H. W. Bush

1996 – The National Imagery and Mapping Agency is established by President Clinton

TIMELINE

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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

7500 GEOINT Drive

Springfield, VA 22150

Approved for public release, 18-504

Servicio

Geodesico

Interamericano

“I had the opportunity to observe closely the 

cooperation that the United States gives 

to Latin America through the Cartographic

School and I can confirm the reciprocal 

knowledge and understanding that springs 

forth among the Latin American countries. 

In this manner, the United States of America 

not only teaches the youths of Latin America 

subjects pertaining to preparations of maps 

of their respective countries but infuses into 

their hearts the roots of American solidarity.”

Angel G. Hernandez (ret.)

Ambassador of Honduras to Panama

20 August 1970

Letter to President Nixon on why IAGS is important to 

support and fund