Geomatics is the discipline of gathering, storing, processing, and delivering of geographic information. This broad term applies both to science and technology, and integrates the following more specific disciplines and technologies:

• geodesy
• surveying
• mapping
• positioning
• navigation
• cartography
• remote sensing
• photogrammetry
• geographic information systems
• global positioning system

The term geomatics is fairly young, apparently being invented by B. Dubuisson in 1969. It is commonly defined to include the tools & techniques used in land surveying, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and related forms of earth mapping. Originally coined in Canada, the term “geomatics” has been adopted by the International Standards Organization, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and many other international authorities, although users (especially in the United States) have shown a preference for the term “geospatial technology”.

Its precise definition is still in flux. A good definition can be found on the University of Calgary's web page http://www.geomatics.ucalgary.ca/whatisit/index.html:

"Geomatics Engineering is a modern discipline, which integrates acquisition, modelling, analysis, and management of spatially referenced data, i.e. data identified according to their locations. Based on the scientific framework of geodesy, it uses terrestrial, marine, airborne, and satellite-based sensors to acquire spatial and other data. It includes the process of transforming spatially referenced data from different sources into common information systems with well-defined accuracy characteristics."

The rapid progress, and increased visibility, of geomatics since 1990s has been made possible by advances in computer technology, computer science, and software engineering, as well as airborne and space observation technologies.

International organizations in geomatics

• International Association of Geodesy
• International Federation of Surveyors

External links

• Geomatics.org.uk - Geomatics.org.uk is the portal to the UK Land and Offshore Survey Industries. We have free geomatics resources and equipment for schools to borrow, links to various websites from the geomatics community and career profiles of people working in the industry. Based at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, this project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK geomatics community.