Geological surveys, near and far

Commission for the Geological Map of the World, click for larger image

Commission for the Geological Map of the World

The CGMW, the oldest international organization in geoscience after the International Geological Congress (IGC), was created in 1881 during the 2nd IGC in Bologna. It is a non-profit-making scientific and educational body governed by French law.

The CGMW is responsible for designing, promoting, coordinating, preparing and publishing small-scale thematic (geology, geophysics, ore deposits, natural resources, climate, etc.) Earth Science maps of continents, major regions, and oceans. In the context of its mission, the CGMW intends to play a leading role in the use and diffusion of digital cartographic techniques, as well as in the development of international standards.

The CGMW is affiliated to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) since the latter's creation in 1961 and cooperates closely with the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) in the framework of ICSU geounions. Recognized as a rank A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Commission is eligible for UNESCO funding, part of which is devoted to the co-publication of maps.

Geological Surveys (or similar organizations responsible for national geological mapping) of countries and territories throughout the World are Statutory Members of the CGMW. Other interested organizations can join the CGMW as Associate Members.

A score of key figures from different Earth Science fields make up the ad hoc Members of the Bureau in charge of running the CGMW, whose headquarters are in Paris.

General Assemblies are held every two years, alternately at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and at the venue of the International Geological Congress. A focal point of these meetings is to assess the aims of future programmes and the progress of current cartographic projects. The list of CGMW programmes for the period 2008-2012 is available here.