ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN NATIONAL REPORT 
FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING 2000-2004 
A. Eslami Rad* , M. Sarpoulaki 
* Photogrammetry Department, National Cartographic Centre of Iran (NCC), P.O.Box 13185-1684, Tehran, IRAN — 
a-eslami@ncc.neda.net.ir 
? Technical Deputy, National Cartographic Center of Iran (NCC), P.O.Box 13185-1684, Tehran, IRAN — 
sarpulki@nce.neda.net.ir 
Commission VI 
KEY WORDS: Photogrammetry, Remote sensing, GIS, Spatial Data Infrastructure, Mapping 
ABSTRACT: 
This national report outlines activities and development related to photogrammetry and remote sensing as well as GIS, digital 
mapping, education and research in these fields during the period 2000-2004. The involvement of various sectors is described 
including governmental institutions and organizations, private companies and user community. 
After a brief introduction, different effective sectors which shape the structure of photogrammetry and remote sensing in the country 
will be described which includes education and research sector in this field. It follows with a summery about national plans for 
spatial data production and usage and then the situation of the country in terms of available map and spatial data. 
The next and last part comprises a summery of methods and technology used for data acquisition and processing as well as 
presentation of spatial data. 
1. INTRODUCTION 2.1 Spatial Data Producers 
Development of Geomatics within the last half century in Iran As mentioned above, major data producers consist of the 
has faced considerable challenges in different aspects and was following groups: 
not possible without great efforts of spatial data producers and 
users as well as people in research and education area. The = National Mapping Organizations: The main national 
issues such as growing demand for cartographic products, great mapping organization of the country is well known National 
interest in Geomatics education, revolutionary movement Cartographic Center of Iran (NCC) which works as a branch 
towards digital technology, standardization efforts in this field of Management and Planning Organization of Iran (MPO). 
and popularity of GIS and remote sensing applications can 
demonstrate development of the country in the field of It was established in 1953 and takes the responsibility of 
Geomatics. coordination among various mapping activitics as well as 
creation a survey infrastructure and production of base map 
In Iran, national organizations, ministerial and municipal offices series, production of maps and other spatial information 
as well as private companies are active in the field of mapping needed for national constructive projects and supervision on 
and geographic information production needed by decision private sector activities. Since then, NCC has been 
makers and general users. The national organizations responsible for various mapping projects at various scales 
concentrate their efforts on small-scale base mapping of the but the emphasis has been and still is on production of 
whole country and other governmental surveying offices and national base maps and databases. Nowadays, beside map 
private companies are mostly involved on high resolution and spatial data production activities, almost entire aerial 
geographic information production needed for national and photographic missions and aerial triangulation activities for 
provincial projects. civil projects are carried on by NCC. 
Most research in the fields of photogrammetry, remote sensing, In order to facilitate rapid and accurate access of military 
GIS and digital mapping is carrying on in the national section to the geographic information, National Geographic 
organizations, institutions and universities. However a few Organization (NGO) was established. This organization is 
private companies have also made remarkable research for their recently equipped with a ground receiving station. with 
commercial products and services. ability of receiving imageries from different sensors of 
Indian IRS-1C/1D satellites. 
2. BUILDING BLOCKS OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY 
AND REMOTE SENSING MARKET IN IRAN = Private Sector Companies: In the past few years, the 
government decided as a general policy, to decreases 
From production point of view, photogrammetry and remote gradually the number of employees in the governmental 
sensing market consists of three major components as follows: organizations including NCC, which culminated in increase 
the contracts for mapping projects awarded to private 
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