Aerial Photographs Series
Produced by the Chief Directorate of Surveys and Mapping

ORTHOPHOTO MAPS (Scale 1:10 000)

The 1:10 000 orthophoto maps combine all the advantages of conventional line maps and aerial photography. The photographic background has been rectified to remove image displacements and enlarged to a scale of 1:10 000.. Unlike a conventional aerial photograph, accurate measurements can be made on the orthophoto map. Cartographic elements that cannot be derived from the photographic background have been added, namely: a co-ordinate grid, contours and spot heights, place names and route numbers. These maps are well suited for detail planning and analysis of what exists on the ground.

The orthophoto maps cover all metropolitan and peri-urban areas and growth areas. At present, about 25% of the country is covered by these sheets. These sheets are available as ammonia-developed prints on either paper or opaque film or as bromide prints on photographic paper.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Chief Directorate of Surveys and Mapping is the government agency responsible for aerial photography and has an archive of aerial photographs dating back to the 1930's. The photography is at a variety of scales and has provided complete coverage of the country since the 1950's. These are all vertical aerial phtographs taken from aircraft. Photography is continuously reflown to provide new photography for ongoing map revision and for sale to users.

Unlike a generalised line map, almost all detail is visible on an aerial photograph. The user, although unable to make accurate measurements on the photograph, is able to perform his or her own interpretation of what exists on the ground. Aerial photographs are also an historic record of what existed at the time the photograph was taken.

Modern aerial photographs are a standard contact size of 23 x 23cm. Enlargements of up to three times a photograph area are available. Overlapping stereopairs may be purchased for stereo viewing, providing the user with a 3-dimensional image. Colour photography is also available in selected areas.