The Chief Directorate: Surveys and Mapping, the official national mapping agency of South Africa, is part of the Department of Land Affairs.  Based in Mowbray, Cape Town, this office is responsible for producing the National Map Series, aerial photography and digital spatial information products.  Examples of these products include the 1:50 000 topographic map consisting of 1 916 sheets covering the whole country and the 1:10 000 orthophoto map series covering all major urban centres and strategic growth points.  The vertical aerial photographs, available at a wide range of scales, illustrate South Africa’s development since the 1930’s.  New items are constantly being added to our product range.  The latest are the 1:2 000 000 Millennium Wall Map of South Africa and MapTrix.  All these spatial information products are available from our Marketing and Sales Division.

The MapAware Project has been launched to promote map awareness and map literacy because research has shown that relatively few people in South Africa currently use maps.  This is especially obvious from the poor results obtained for the Grade 12 geography practical (mapwork) examination.  The pace of Land Reform is being hampered by lack of spatial literacy skills.  A number of initiatives have been undertaken to promote map use amongst adults and school based learners and their educators.

Legal Disclaimer | Revised: 28/06/06 09:07:03
Copyright © 1997 Chief Directorate: Surveys & Mapping
Private Bag X10, Mowbray 7705. Tel. +27-(0)21-658 4300
(Dept of Land Affairs, Republic of South Africa)