Providing digital maps of the United States was a massive undertaking - one fitting to a census department. Most of the computerized mapping data available for the United States is in some form or fashion related to the U.S. Census Department's TIGER map data. The TIGER data was intended to be used to display census data against - not for precision mapping or c cartography. TIGER data has been widely used; however, because it is in the public domain. Several companies, including ETAK, are in the business of "cleaning up" the TIGER data and reselling it. Often this involves getting aerial photography and local city planning maps to correct the digital map - a long, drawn out process.There are a large number of government institutions that use maps for all kinds of functions. Eventually it became obvious that the collection of map data should be centralized. The Federal Geographic Data Committee fills that role. The FGDC is charged with the responsibility to coordinate various surveying, mapping, and spatial data activities of federal agencies. Established on October 19, 1990, the group's major objectives are to avoid duplication and minimize costs in mapping and spatial data activities. This involves the establishment of standards and providing wider access to geospatial data.
GPS can be used both to create maps and to place new points on existing maps.
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