Aerial Mapping In California Made Easy

Many different private companies and public agencies have the ability to provide many different types of aerial photographic detail. There are many types of aerial photography provided by California aerial mapping that are processed along with computer programs to provide maps, photos and survey data.

Aerial mapping companies are used commercially by developers, realtors, planners and civil engineers for various development projects, including environmental impact reports. Surveys are used for small individual boundary issues to the retracing of subdivision dividing lines.

Government agencies may use an aerial mapping company in California to develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A GIS is a topographic map showing the placement of sites such as fire stations, hospitals, schools, electrical and telephone switch stations and other infrastructure lines. These maps are invaluable in cases of large scale disaster such as the Kansas City or World Trade Center bombings.

Aerial survey information is used by many non-profit organizations doing work on conservation, water use and large scale photographic surveys such as that produced by the California Coastal Records Project. Cal State Northridge, Whittier College, and the California aerial and Acoustic Sardine Survey are examples of agencies that use the services provided by aerial mappers.

Aerial mapping is used to develop topographic and hydrographic mapping. Contour overlays are added to create the commonly known “topo” map, produced by the United States Forest Service for Forest Service and Wilderness lands. The US Geographical Survey (USGS) has jointly managed Land Sat, or Land Remote Sensing Satellite system, with NASA since 1972, to gather information about the earth’s surface resources. This data is available and used by aerial mapping companies.

Orthophotography, used by many companies, is the practice of correcting aerial photographs so the resulting photographs show the same uniform scale as a flat map. Thus distances can be measured to actual scale, showing correct distances since the map has been adjusted to account for the curve of the earth’s surface shown in the original aerial photograph.

California Aerial Mapping Company resources are almost unlimited with companies based in the far north state, such as the Smith River, to San Diego. Services vary from more traditional surveying and mapping functions to the exotic, including aerial event photography for weddings, hot air balloons and scenic vistas.

Private services provided by an aerial mapping company California will incorporate government and university projects as needed for a particular project. Many companies have been in business for decades. The educated consumer will benefit by researching the particular specialties offered by different companies that will best match their needs.

For more information visit California Aerial Mapping.