The USGS, or United States Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The role of the USGS is to study the landscape and natural resources of the United States. There are four major disciplines contained within the United States Geological Survey: biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The purpose of USGS findings

The Canada-US border is one of the most peaceful international borders in the world today, and in fact it is the longest un-militarized border in the world. Despite this, it has actually been the subject of quite a few controversies over the past few hundred years. The location of the present Canada-US border was set

The requirements for licensing as a professional land surveyor vary from state to state. To find out the requirements for the state in which you intend to practice, you’ll need to contact your state licensing board through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Generally, a professional land surveyor must complete the

Land surveyors are hired to make accurate measurements of your land. You may have a land survey done before you purchase the property or as you decide to build on it. To ensure your survey is accurate and correct, it is important to have it conducted by a qualified land surveyor conduct the survey who

If you’re currently involved in some sort of construction project—having a home custom-built, for example—it might be difficult for you to tell the difference between a surveyor and an engineer. Both visit the site frequently to examine the work as it progresses. A surveyor and an engineer will often be found working on the same

One of the challenges faced when using traditional land surveying methods is the necessity of surveying areas that are covered by thick vegetation. Some surveying projects require the measurement of such vegetation, while most applications require measurement of the terrain itself, rather than the vegetation covering it. Topographic surveys may or may not require the

Though many individuals purchase undeveloped land with the intention of building their dream home, there are other motivations for buying vacant land—for example, it can be a great investment for developers, subdividers or land speculators. Investing in vacant land does require some research in order not to pay too much for land that may or

Did you know that your homeowners’ insurance policy probably does not cover flood damage? Too many homeowners find this out the hard way, shelling out thousands of dollars to repair damage from a flood. The average home incurs $30,000 of damage following a flood, and you don’t even need to live near a body of

Have you ever wondered why today’s towns are laid out the way they are? The look of a downtown area, with its square blocks, dates back to when the country was first dividing what would eventually become a large portion of the United States. Beginning in the late eighteenth century, these unexplored lands were surveyed

Before buying any plot land for development, there are plenty of factors to consider. First, you’ll want to consider the general area. Is it urban, suburban, or rural? Is it in a community where you would like to build or live? Choosing a location largely depends on your commitments and personal preferences. These questions should