Maps and a Mapping Program for the United States

Maps constitute one of the principal depositories of knowledge pertaining to conditions on the earth's surface. Precision and extent of surveys, contents and functional adaptability of the maps to research and investigation reveal, therefore, how well a country is prepared to deal with the problems created by the dynamic forces of progress and change. In an economic unit like the United States, with its great variations in geographic conditions and irregular distribution of natural and human resources, localized facts of the situation must be known to permit an orderly, progressive development and adjustment of the economic structure to its natural foundation and economic needs. Definite information is needed as to what our resources are, where they are, to what extent they are used, how they are used and can be used and with what results. Although the store of factual information along these lines is accumulating, we are far from having uniform, reliable, and complete records. The reason back of these deficiencies is that much of the pertinent information cannot be gathered by enumeration or obtained from sample questionnaires. Such information must be secured through systematic mapping and is comprehensible only when expressed in the form of maps. This applies not only to industrial raw material, primary power, commercial development, transportation and communication facilities, but is particularly true of physical characteristics of land when agriculture and the use of land are concerned. Surveying and mapping was started in the United States during Colonial days. The settlement of the land, and the establishment of political divisions were the first essential steps in organizing the country as a national unit. Maps were needed in these processes as urgently as they are needed now. Exploration and reconnaissance surveys, and the division surveys of the

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