REPORT OF THE WORLD DATA BANK COMMITTEE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01154A000600040006-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 8, 1999
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: February 14, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized - App AIed Fo J.. DP79-@154A0006
vii
U400013-0 P pP
DATE: 14 February 1966
25X1A9a
25X1A9a
MEMORANDUM FOR: 'Chief, Cartography Division, OBI
SUBJECT : Report of The World Data Bank Committee
2. The previous work of the Committee was reviewed and a brief
25X1A9a summary of this effort is attached. reported on the sub-
sequent feasibility study undertaken by his branch. Current develop-
ments in available hardware were discussed. briefly spoke 25X1
on ORD interest in graphical displays. The acquisition of combined
light pen--cathode ray tube--camera gear will permit experimentation
in rapid map design.
3. The selection of a base suitable for digitizing was considered
next. Criteria for such a base should include an easily convertible
projection, availability (Can stable-base positives be readily obtained?),
and readability. On this basis, the Mercator map of the world published
by the U.S. Navy Oceanographic Office was selected for non-polar coverage.
No decision was made on polar maps. Before digitizing, all international
boundaries will be checked by the responsible branches and modified if
necessary. All coastlines and international boundaries and the drainage
system of one country will be digitized. Concurrently, a tape of world
capitals and major cities will be prepared from the gazetteer. It is
estimated that about 50,000 coordinate points will be needed for the pro-
totype World Data Bank. A vu-graph of the Arabian peninsula was shown
to illustrate 220 Dahlgren points vs. the 620 needed to depict the area
at 1:11,000,000, exclusive of boundaries and drainage. The 50,000 figure
was arrived at by allowing for the gross detail at higher latitudes in
this projection as well as boundaries and some drainage.
25X1A9a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP79-011
1. The Committee met on 11 February 1966. In addition to the ap-
of this Division. of ORD, and 25X1A9a
;pQQ, 0006-5