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The first pilot project of the American Geographic Society "Bowman Expedition" to Colombia focuses on twenty-four (24) municipalities of the Department of Cauca. The main objective has been to develop a GIS database that overcomes the challenges of working with incomplete information and secondary data sources. In Colombia, and especially in the department of Cauca, there is a profusion of geographic data, the sources are limited (in quality, scope, standardization, access, date, etc...), with important methodological problems that limit the use of information and analysis. Institutionally, the country produces a large amount of geographic information, but lacks standardization throughout the myriad of agencies, especially in terms of data quality, duplication, accessibility and analysis. Moreover, Colombia generally does not have the adequate infrastructure to facilitate access to data sources.

To meet the project objectives, the geographical environment in Cauca must be defined, followed by social, economic, environmental and public safety departments.

The pilot project is the first step in developing a geographic atlas of the forty-two (42) municipalities that make up the Department of Cauca. The maps and information on this website are based on secondary data obtained from official entities of national, regional and or municipal levels. This set of data constitutes a general framework for the conceptual and operational analysis to be carried out within the framework of this investigation.

The Third Bowman Expedition of the American Geographical Society (AGS), called Colombia GIS, continues the Society's commitment to inform the public and governments about foreign geography in support of better policy making. Specifically, AGS proposes sending expeditions to gather geographic information, conduct place-based research, and combat geographic ignorance.

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