The International Archives oj the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. Vol. XXXVII. Part B4. Beijing 2008 
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taking, as both, with different capacities, allow for the treatment 
and analysis of geographic information. 
Regarding the dependence relationships GIS’s are capable of 
generating outputs with all cartographic formalities, including 
media different from the traditional. 
GIS arrived on the cartographic scene with a strong impact, 
where it is of some concern for the future of cartography, with 
the development of automated systems and the advent of GIS. 
There were times when cartographers were appreciated scholars 
who spent a whole life creating one or a few maps. Facing the 
up to date growing demands for geographic useful information, 
cartographers now have to see themselves seated facing a 
computer monitor and feeling confused and distrustful without 
not so much confidence on what they are doing. This feeling is 
hard to eliminate if the ideas are not clear. We feel this is a 
negative relationship between cartography and GIS. 
The solution seems to be on the development of a new 
“cartographic feeling” in an environment of new technological 
developments where GIS should be regarded as one of the main 
subjects, concepts and ideas and not just for operative training 
on computer hardware and software. 
The relationship between cartography and GIS can be best 
visualized from a practical point of view. One of the modes of 
GIS is the cartographic one, but this is mostly given in the 
context of applications and not necessarily as an objective 
reality. Computer Assisted Mapping (CAM) has a specific 
production objective, but lacks the analytical capacities of a 
GIS. On its part, GIS include cartographic capacities, which 
being important have not the same weight as the analytical. 
However, GIS depends basically on cartography for data 
capture, which in many cases has to be converted to a digital 
format, structured and put into a database, processed as required 
and finally given some sort of output. 
9. THE IDEMEX 
Mexico is under a technological and organizational imperative 
to develop the national SDI in answer to demands as imposed 
by globalization, sustainable development and explosive 
technology increase. There is a marked awareness in the high 
decision centres about the importance of geospatial information, 
which on the other hand sets increasing demands for useful 
information for everybody through defined schema of 
responsible management. 
Since 1997 INEGI developed the idea around the SDI. In a 
general context, three stages can be identified; one is the 
historical frame, then the change to digital, and thirdly the 
compliance with the advance of technology and new demands. 
The first stage in the XIXth. and part of the XXth. century 
witnessed the first formal productive efforts of geographic 
information through cartography at small scales, as stated in the 
first part of this paper. The second stage in the 90 s saw the 
modernization of geographic activities with digital technology. 
In the third stage a pressing need arose to coordinate and 
standardize the information. The effort was devoted to adopt 
efficiency criteria for the integration and management of 
geospatial information in terms of availability, knowledge of 
its characteristics, considerations on access and distribution and 
the intensive use of information and communication 
technologies. The idea about the IDEMex began to develop. 
The IDEMex is conceived to support the integration and 
development of the NGIS, as well as a tool for the management 
of the information contained in it, facilitating its operation, and 
having in mind to provide for the best geographic information 
service. 
The basic technical components of the IDEMex are those next 
listed: 
■ Catalogues and fundamental data, Metadata and 
Clearinghouses 
■ Access, Interoperability and distribution 
■ Norms and standards development 
■ Construction of alliances, institutional strength 
ening and capacity building 
There is support for the IDEMex from all sectors which 
recognize there is a need for cooperation under a coordinating 
body, the INEGI. There is a growing awareness about the 
application of agreed standards, as well as to the need to avoid 
duplicities and adopt rationalization production schema, making 
geospatial information available for all interested parties. The 
information is be looked at with a vision of future. 
There are some official basic concepts regarding geospatial 
information in connection with the IDEMex: First is the need to 
upgrade the NGIS according to present needs, so providing a 
further step to democratize geospatial information. Both the 
statistical and geographic information systems must satisfy the 
information requirements of all sectors in a participating 
context. 
In terms of national requirements there is a need to promote 
communication and interchange ideas and experiences, as well 
as to fortify links and agreements for updating the NGIS and the 
establishment of common agreed standards. There is also a need 
to come to terms with other organizations, looking for 
complementarities and rationalization of the production. 
As a strategy to promote awareness and commitment about the 
IDEMex, in 2003 INEGI organized a National Geography 
Convention attended by representatives of all sectors, especially 
the official one. The objective was to position geographic 
information as a strategic resource for the building of the 
Mexico of future, with the purpose to attain consensus and a 
committed participation and cooperation. In this context, the 
main subject was the IDEMex. This has been followed yearly 
with other meetings where the SDI has been central. 
There are some interesting aspects regarding the organization of 
the IDEMex to put it in the proper frame: with the LIEG and 
the NGIS, with the consultative and participation committees 
established by the law for the integration and development of 
the NGIS, with the National Statistical and Geographic 
Development Program (PRONADEIG), and with the sexenial 
National Development Plans. 
Regarding technical committees, the most important one is the 
Technical Consultative on Geographic Information Committee, 
integrated by high level officials from the Federal and State 
governments. The main function is to issue opinion and define 
priorities for the PRONADEIG. Given the high level of this