About us - the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy

Prof. Dr. Kutterer


  

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the web pages of the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG).

Geodetic and cartographic products are as natural as power from the power socket today. This is particularly apparent with the widespread navigation systems in which digital maps and satellite-based techniques are brought together profitably for determining one’s own position. How are digital maps made? The basis is digital geoinformation which is derived from aerial and satellite images and is then visualized, i.e. represented vividly. Where do the positions come from? Naturally from the GPS - but where is the coordinate system? So simple this may graphically be realized on paper, so complex it proves to be in reality. At today's accuracy demands even the drift of the continents and the rotational velocity of the earth have to be taken into account. The question about the zero mark for terrain heights has to be settled too.   

Indeed, planning and decisions in the public and private field are based very frequently on such geoinformation, i.e. on data of a variety of kinds which relate to spatial positions. This applies equally to tunnel construction, determining of biotopes and to mission planning in crisis situations. Without question the quality of corresponding measures depends fundamentally on the access to current and reliable geoinformation. To make this possible extensive geodata and observation infrastructures have to be established and operated. Geoinformation is up-to-date only when it is regularly - or continuously, depending on the subject – collected, evaluated and provided.

According to its duties, the BKG as the federal government’s modern competence and service centre makes important, fundamental contributions in this context together with its partners in administration, economy and science. Concretely, the BKG provides geodetic reference systems and basic information for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany efficiently and with a quality in line with demand.  It develops the technologies necessary for this according to the most recent state of science and technology. Furthermore, the BKG advises the institutions of the federal government in the fields of geodesy and geoinformation and represents the appropriate professional interests at the international level.

Due to the steadily growing importance of tasks with spatial reference at the national and European level - also in connection with the global change - the use of geoinformation has increased enormously within the last few years, supported by the rapid development of the modern information and communication technologies. To meet the demand for high-quality products, the BKG applies most up-to-date geodetic and cartographic technologies as well as high-efficiency information and communication technologies together with European and international partners. In addition, the BKG contributes in technological and organizational regard substantially to the establishment of the GeoDataInfrastructure for Germany (GDI-DE) by which a continuous and full-coverage supply with current, reliable and easy-to-handle geoinformation is ensured not only for our country but also for the EU.

You like to know more? I then invite you to visit our web pages to learn more about the tasks, products and techniques of the BKG. Explore the GeoDatenZentrum and discover for example Germany from the bird's-eye view with the DOP-Viewer, or visit our Geodetic Observatory in Wettzell. For more detailed information and concrete requests please contact us directly.

Hansjörg Kutterer

President and Professor of the BKG

BKG Organization Chart (pdf 45-KB)