The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific organization that provides information about the Earth and its natural resources. The USGS is a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior, and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The USGS has over 12,000 employees, and its mission is to “provide accurate, unbiased, and timely information about the Earth’s physical and biological processes.”
The USGS was established in 1879 by an act of Congress. The agency’s primary goal was to conduct a topographic survey of the western United States. This effort culminated in the publication of the first ever complete geologic map of the country in 1886. Today, the USGS continues to be at the forefront of mapping and surveying efforts in the United States. In addition to topographic maps, the USGS produces maps on a variety of other topics, including:
-Geologic maps
-Bathymetric charts
-Aeronautical charts
-Land use maps
-Soil surveys