Creation

Based on the law of 6 February 1962, the directorate of geographic and geodetic affairs was established and affiliated to the ministry of defense, army commandment.
Note: Based on the law of 29/7/63, the directorate of geographic and geodetic affairs was renamed to the directorate of geographic affairs.

Objectives

The directorate of geographic affairs is responsible for all the geographic works especially:

- Triangulation to the fifth order
- Measurement of general elevations
- Aerial photography
- Photographic transformation
- Compilation and printing of the unified map, scale 1:20,000, for all the Lebanese territory.
- Correction, completion, and printing of the unified map, scale 1:50,000, for all the Lebanese territory.
- Provide the surveying services department with maps compiled through photographic transformation at scales varying between 1:500 and 1:5,000 for all non-surveyed areas.
- Compile maps with elevation contours at different scales according to the requests of the different technical departments at the ministries and the independent institution at their request and funding. Such compilations are used for irrigation, reforestation, roads, electricity, rural and urban planning and tunnel excavation studies.
- Compile a photo and map archive to provide the ministries and individuals with photos and maps against the payment of a legal fee, except for the survey maps requested by the surveying services department.
- Provide the technical departments at all the ministries and independent institutions with all the needed topographic information.
- Possibility of organizing training workshops and lay the foundations for a school of geographic sciences.
- D.A.G shall carry all the projects as stated in its mission for the different governmental departments and independent institutions. D.A.G can subcontract parts of the project works to other institution if deemed necessary.
- D.A.G can carry out works for different governmental agencies, municipalities, public or private institutions at the expense of the second party.
- A technical committee representing all concerned ministries and independent institutions assists the director of D.A.G. in the guidance of works and tasks.

In addition to the tasks specified in the law of 6/2/1962 stated above, D.A.G is responsible for:
- Providing the printing of pamphlets, periodicals, and military prototypes.
- Providing the army with all the logistics that come under the requirements of D.A.G.

Law 42/65

Prohibit the printing and dissemination of maps and imagery of the Lebanese territory without prior approval.

Third act: The Army Command, Directorate of Geographic Affairs will issue the required permits if the contractor affirms that:
- He will not expose any military sites or information
- He will not put any marks or coordinates on the map or imagery that will help in the identification of military sites
- Provide D.A.G, the army command with a copy of the product before distribution.

Fifth act: It is unlawful to exhibit or sell maps or imagery concerned and listed in this law unless D.A.G, the army command approves the permit stated above.

Decree 10431

Issued on the 3^rd of July 1968. Set the relation between D.A.G and the different public institutions, departments, independent institutions, municipalities, private companies and individuals.

Act I: This decree sets the rules to D.A.G. for the achievement of geographic works for the different public departments, public and independent institutions, municipalities, private companies and individuals.

Act II: Tasks requested from D.A.G will be conducted based on the following rules:
- The different departments and institutions will set an annual program for the requested geographical jobs.
- D.A.G will set the cost for each job.
- D.A.G will start working on the jobs as soon as the beneficiary transfer the cost to the ministry of defense budget.
- In case of urgent works, amendments can be done the schedule accordingly.

Act III: Tasks requested from D.A.G from bodies with amended budgets will be conducted based on the following rules:
- The concerned body will present an individual request depicting the type of work required from D.A.G, who in turn will study the request and present a bill of cost.
- Work will start as soon as the money is transferred.

Declaration of the office of the prime minister

The Prime Minister office informed all public directorates and institutions, and municipalities to use the Army printing houses for all their prints.

Maps

- 1/200.000 : Touristic, administrative, and general (available in digital form). In addition to geological, agricultural, forest, hydrogeological, fruit and rain maps (before 1975).
- 1/100.000 : Group of 6 maps covering Lebanon.
- 1/50.000 : Topographic (25 maps).
- 1/20.000 : Topographic (group of 121 maps, currently being updated).
- 1/20.000 : Elevation contours, rivers and springs, archeology, border of cadastral areas. (Group of 121 maps covering an of these topics).
- 1/5000 : Administrative Beirut covering touristic, commercial, and cultural landmarks. (available in digital format), maps of aggression on public marine properties with surveying of all parcels built on them (different scales). Drawings of the military caserns and their surroundings (different scales).

Cartographic Services

Carries out the following tasks :
- Drawing and printing of maps.
- All army prints.
- Printing for the public sector for a fee.

Beneficiaries

- Public institutions: ministries, directorates, municipalities
- Private institutions: Engineering offices, private universities
- Individuals

How to benefit?

Required documents :
- I.D.
- Stamp (100 LBP)

How to Request?
- The request is presented at D.A.G, Archive Section.
- Fees are paid at the archive section after approval.
- A date is set for delivery.

Required documents for aerial photography Decrees :
Document : - Law of 6 February 1962
                  - M.kh # 36270/t.j/technical date 9/12/2001

Information :
- Area of photography
- Type of airplane
- Date and time of photography (inform on any changes in dates)
- Elevation
- Date of arrival of airplane to Lebanon and date of departure
- Beneficiary party

Documents :
- Industrial certificate of the company
- Copy of registration certificate
- Address of the company with phone and fax
- I.D of the owner(s) of the company with their addresses
- List of technical personnel working at the company
- Technical equipment owned by the company (along the plane and the photography equipment specifications)
- List of works and tasks conducted by the company in the field of aerial photography and topography (in Lebanon and abroad)

Note: The classification of the company will be conducted by D.A.G according to the documents stated above.

Benefits