Surveying is a profession suitable for analytical thinkers with an interest
in spatial information and discovery of the world around us. Surveyors
can pursue a wide variety of specializations in their fields, and have
the opportunity to work in almost any part of the world. The technique
or science of measuring the position, distance and the angles of earthly
surface is known as surveying. Surveying is generally used to make land
maps and boundaries. Surveyors are experts in measurement and measurement
systems. A surveyor, sometimes referred to as a land surveyor, is responsible
for accurately measuring (surveying) land in order to plot out exact locations
and distance between points. To accomplish their objective, surveyors
use elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics
and law.
Surveyors measure and draw what the earth's surface looks like. Surveys
are done in the air, sea and underground, too. They work outdoors and
indoors, in mountainous terrain and cities, and even map land under water.
Surveying with reference to professional practice, can be grouped into
Land Surveying, Hydrographic Surveying, Cadastral Surveying, Mine Surveying,
Building & Quantity Surveying, and Valuation Surveying. Professional
surveyors measure and analyze angles and distances between property corner
markers and to physical features on a piece of land. Under the ground,
mining surveys are done to show what raw materials are available and where
they are located. A surveyor must accurately indicate land elevations,
property lines, land contour for development, division of land or many
other purposes. They write descriptions of land for deeds, leases and
other legal documents, define airspace for airports and take measurements
of construction and mineral sites. A land surveyor is responsible for
taking accurate measurements and recording the exact land layout in order
to assist in the production of maps, graphs or other documents.
Surveying has been an essential element in the development of the human
environment since the beginning of recorded history (about 5,000 years
ago). It is required in the planning and execution of nearly every form
of construction. Wherever there are roads, railways, reservoir, mines,
dams, retaining walls, bridges or residential areas to be built, surveyors
are involved. Based on the surveyors' findings, architects, engineers,
and drafters decide on the most economical use of the land. Engineering,
especially civil engineering depends heavily on surveyors. With the passage
of time, land surveying tools and techniques has advanced, and the role
of land surveyors is much broader than it was in the past. Earlier only
chains and compasses were used as measurement tools, but now for larger
projects, surveyors are increasingly using more accurate tools such as
Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite system that precisely locates
points on the earth by using radio signals transmitted via satellites.
Surveyors have to work indoors in offices, as well as outdoors and that
too enduring all types of weather. Traveling is sometimes part of the
job, and land surveyors and technicians may commute long distances, stay
away from home overnight, or temporarily relocate near a survey site.
Surveyors work indoors while planning surveys, searching court records
for deed information, analyzing data and preparing reports and maps.
