Surveying

Surveying is something that we often think of in terms of housing and the selling and buying of houses is the most likely area that we would experience this. Surveying is a specific science and has a technique that will give the exact position of something (e.g. a building) between certain points. Usually this is in relation to positions given on the earth somewhere.

This technique is used to make land maps and also to ascertain the boundaries of certain governments, though its use does go beyond this. A person who is employed to carry out this work is known as a surveyor and they will use aspects of geometry, trigonometry, engineering, physics, law and mathematics to accomplish the survey.

Surveying is actually an ancient art and has been part of the development of our surrounding environment since records began. It is most commonly used in construction but is also used in planning, transport, communications and building.

An example of surveying is actually seen in ancient Egypt. At this time the Nile overflowed and geometry was used to re-establish the relevant boundaries. The profession of the land surveyor was first seen in roman times. In England, the domesday book by William the conqueror saw the land divided up into who owned what part, and more information on that area.

In order to become a surveyor a person will need to have a through grip of algebra, geometry, maths and science in general and physics. They will also need to know a good amount about the law that governs property and land development.

Some well known (famous!) surveyors have included Benjamin Banneker, Daniel Boone, William Austin Burt and even Walt Disney.