Aerial Photography
For the 1957 1:250 000 Topographic map project, the whole country had an aerial photo coverage. Since 1971, a similar aerial photographic activities has been carried out destined to realize the 1:50 000 Topographic map coverage project of the country.
Along with this project, aerial photograph of areas which merit serious economic attention are taken. Currently, EMA does not possess its own aircraft. Depending on the photoscale aerial photographic activities are carried out by foreign
organizations or locally for major towns and development projects. User communities have great quests for aerial photographs, usually for interpretative and mosaicking to meet their own needs.
Geodetic survey
The national geodetic network is composed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd order stations covering an area of 560 000 sq.km., including most areas of relatively high potential in natural resources. The greater part of the network was established using conventional
triangulation and traversing, but increasing use is made of GPS methods.
Large scale topographic and engineering surveys for industrial and agricultural applications are undertaken for a considerable number of clients.
Photogrammetry
The Department of Photogrammetry is well equipped with analog and analytical instruments which are mainly used for data capture for the national mapping.
EMA also has an orthophoto production unit and is in the process of launching digital production line.
The Department generally uses conventional methods, but digital methods are being introduced.
Cartography
The Department of Cartography produces a wide range of map products ranging from the national series to thematic maps and customised products. The Department produces national and regional atlases and is currently working on a national geographic
gazetteer. A map revision program was started in 1993. Maps at a scale of 1:250 000 have been given the first priority. A variety of satellite imageries is used for the revision.
Currently the Department is actively engaged in the establishment of a digital map database.
Remote sensing
The Remote Sensing Department is equipped with modern software and hardware and has a well-trained core staff. Its task include the interpretation of satellite imagery for practical and research purposes using both analog and
digital processing. The thematic hard copies are implemented in natural resource identification and rational utilization.
The Department is a user-center and provides services in data processing, data interpretation and consultancy.
Projects that are carried out include land cover studies, crop yield forecasting, forest inventory, land degradation, river valley development, water and soil conservation and human impact studies.
The Department is also producing satellite image maps for areas lacking topographic coverage.