RELATIONSHIPS OF CARTOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS 
AND THE MEXICAN SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (IDEMEX) 
Francisco Antonio Hansen Albites 
National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI), Mexico 
H. de Nacozari 2301. Frac. Jardines del Parque. Aguascalientes 20270. Mexico - 
Francisco. Hansen@INEGI.gob.mx 
KEY WORDS: Cartography, GIS, Information, Management, National, Spatial Data Infrastructures 
ABSTRACT: 
This paper outlines relationships among the development of cartography, GIS and the Mexican SDI (IDEMex) at the National 
Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI) of Mexico. An overview of geographic Information development is 
introduced, as produced in the period 1968 - 1988. The National Statistics and Geographic Information Law, defines the National 
Geographic Information System (NGIS), setting its principles and concepts. The first part of the nineties witnessed the change to the 
digital format, providing for the general advancement and use of cartography in the context of the NGIS. Following worldwide 
tendencies and according to national needs, INEGI has launched the initiative to develop the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, 
IDEMex, including related tools and standards, intensive use of modem information and communication technologies, solution of 
issues related to access and distribution, and the integration of national geographic information according to the NGIS in the context 
of the IDEMex. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
There is a relationship between cartography, Geographic 
Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Data Infrastructures 
(SDI). This is not so much considered among those who have 
to deal with modem concepts regarding the optimal use of 
geospatial information. 
Demands for geographic and statistical information lie in the 
core of decision taking. The last days of the XXth. Century 
witnessed the start of a growing awareness on the importance of 
geospatial information, how this increase is more and more 
related to decisions taking in the realm of geographic 
information for the best use of existing cartography, GIS 
development and the establishment of operational SDI 's 
SDI's are conceived for the best use of data and information, 
including the important contribution of Statistical Information. 
Through this merging of Statistics and Geographic Information 
is that both acquire a real meaning for decision takers through 
the process of data generation, its conversion to stmctured 
information, and the development of informed knowledge. 
In this paper the intention is to bring together the above ideas 
and establish the relationships between geographic information 
as represented by map products, GIS as instances of a higher 
level and the technical and administrative tools which can be 
applied to both cartography and GIS in terms of the IDEMex. 
A brief historic account of geographic information development 
in Mexico is given and considerations are included as related to 
new and modem geographic knowledge development schema 
connected with the conformance to technological development, 
globalization, and Economic Sustainable Development. The 
paper continues with a description of Cartographic and 
Geographic information development at the General Directorate 
of Geography (DGG) of the National Institute of Statistics, 
Geography and Informatics (INEGI). 
Reference is made to the legal frame as represented by the 
Statistical and Geographic Information Law (LIEG) and its 
relationship with the National Geographic Information System 
(NGIS) Some issues contained in the Law are discussed, to 
arrive later to the modernization of the geographic activity at 
INEGI with digital technology, going on to build the SDI of 
Mexico, and establishing the relationships with both 
cartography and the NGIS. 
2. A BRIEF HISTORIC ACCOUNT 
The history of geographic information in Mexico can be traced 
up to the prehispanic times. In the Colonial period Cartography 
was devoted to the general knowledge of the territory through 
the works of some scholars and institutions for the geographic 
location of main economic activities. 
During the XIXth. Century, Mexico tried to consolidate as a 
new Nation. There was not so much chance to go into 
developing geographic knowledge, though there were some 
efforts from scholars as Antonio Garcia Cubas and the works of 
Baron Alexander Von Humboldt. 
In 1822 the government began to organize the territory, so a 
Commission was established to elaborate the first General Map 
of Mexico. In 1839 the Mexican Society of Geography and 
Statistics compiled a Geographic Chart of Mexico. In 1856 a 
Geographic and Historical Atlas of Mexico was elaborated. In 
1877 The Geographic Exploration Commission was created to 
develop a new General Map of Mexico. 
In 1913 an Agreement to unify geodetic systems in North 
America was signed with the U.S.A and Canada, by which 
Mexico adopted the reference system becoming later the 1927 
North American Datum, as well as the Clarke 1866 Ellipsoid. 
In the first days of October 1968 the Commission of Studies for 
the National Territory (CETENAL) was created, with the 
responsibility to develop the national inventory of natural