Ordnance Survey International

British governmental agency
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Also known as: Directorate of Colonial Surveys, Directorate of Overseas Surveys, Overseas Surveys Directorate
Quick Facts
Formerly (1946–57):
Directorate of Colonial Surveys
(1957–84):
Directorate of Overseas Surveys, and
(1984–91):
Overseas Surveys Directorate
Date:
1946 - 2001

Ordnance Survey International, former surveying, mapping, and aerial photography agency (1946–2001) of the British government, which provided advice on technical matters concerning all aspects of surveying and mapping. The maps created by the agency were produced using aerial photography and photogrammetric methods. Aerial photography missions were flown mainly by air survey companies of the United Kingdom, and surveyors were sent overseas to establish horizontal and vertical ground control for the photography. After maps were compiled from the aerial photography, plots of the maps were checked and annotated. Final maps were drawn at the agency’s headquarters and printed by Ordnance Survey ...(100 of 291 words)