Case Study: FM-International Oy (FINNMAP) achieves national GIS foundations, accurate orthophotos and large-scale land titling in Guatemala and Cambodia with Trimble INPHO photogrammetry

Laying the Foundations for GIS and Land Management in Guatemala and Cambodia

FINNMAP, a Helsinki-based mapping, surveying and aerial‑photography consultancy (now part of Japan’s PASCO), was engaged by governments and international agencies to lay the foundations for national GIS and modern land management in Guatemala and Cambodia. The challenge was to deliver highly accurate, country‑scale aerial imagery, orthophotos, digital terrain models and cadastral data to support base mapping, hazard mapping and large‑scale land titling and registration programs.

Using Trimble INPHO photogrammetry tools, airborne GPS/INS and other Trimble survey technologies, FINNMAP produced color aerial imagery at 40 cm ground resolution, 0.5 m orthophotos, DTMs and 259 1:50,000 map sheets for Guatemala and collected GPS, parcel imagery and orthophotos for Cambodian villages. The work enabled a modern cadastral system and GIS foundation: Guatemala received accurate base maps and DTMs for planning, and Cambodia’s program delivered 1,012,512 title certificates, publicly displayed 1,096,242 parcels and surveyed/adjudicated 1,306,487 parcels, with mapping efforts continuing to support land administration and economic development.

FM-International Oy FINNMAP

Timo Sääski

Managing Director