GEOGRAPHY DIVISION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA (D/GG)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP60-00346R000100370013-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 13
• Content Type: REPORT

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GEOGRAPHY DIVISION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA (D/GG)
I. Services of D/GG.
A. Location.
B. Services.
C. Use of Services.
II. Description of the Intelligence Reports Produced by D/GG.
A. Evasion Studies.
B. Contributions to the National Intelligence Survey Program (NIS).
C. Studies Produced Under D/GG's Self-Initiated Research Program.
D. Studies in Direct Support of Clandestine Operations.
E. Studies on USSR Capabilities and Activities in Mapping, Geodesy,
and Gravimetry.
III. Source Material Used by D/GG in the Production of Intelligence Reports.
A. Raw and Finished Intelligence Materials.
B. Unclassified Foreign and Domestic Geographic Literature.
C. Maps.
D. Photography.
IV. 9rganization of D/GG.
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I. Services of D/GG.
A. Location.
The Geography Division of the Geographic Area (D/GG) is located in
Building.11. The office of the Chief of D/GG is in Room 206.
B. Services.
D/GG is a research group that provides support to various components
of CIA and other IAC agencies in the form of classified intelligence reports
in the fields of physical, economic, and cultural geography. These reports
vary considerably in scope, treatment, and format, ranging from brief, highly
specialized contributions to intelligence studies that are disseminated only
to the requester to comprehensive formal intelligence studies that are pub-
lished and disseminated to the IAC community.
In addition to research support, D/GG answers requests for two kinds
of information: information on international and internal administrative
boundaries (this service is performed in consultation with the Department of
State)SWO recommendations of the best maps that are available for a given
problem, and questions concerning the interpretation of maps -- all other
questions on maps are outside of the province of D/GG and should be referred
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either to the Map Library Division (D/GL) or to the Cartography Division
(D/GC). Queries on place names should be referred to D/GL.
C. Use of Services.
Proposed support projects should be discussed directly with the
appropriate Branch Chief in D/GG9 if it is determined that the support pro-
ject will require more than 20 hours to complete, the Branch Chief will
advise the requester to submit a written requirement through the Chief,
Geographic Research. Analysts in the Economic Research Area (ERA), CIA/ORR,
should obtain the approval of their Branch Chiefs before discussing pro-
posed support projects with D/GG.
II. Description of the Intelligence Reports Produced by D/GG.
D/GG produces intelligence reports in the fields of physical, economic,
and cultural geography. The majority of the reports produced include at
least one map prepared especially for the report by D/GC; in addition,
other supplementary material, such as, general maps, ground and aerial
photography, and photo mosaics is included. About four-fifths of the total
number of intelligence reports produced by D/GG are requested by components
of CIA and the other IAC agencies, particularly the Department of the
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Air Force. The fol wing kinds of studies are produced: Evasion Studies,
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Contributions to the National Intelligence Survey Program (NIS), Studies in
Direct Support of Clandestine Operations,
Studies of USSR Capabilities and Activities in Mapping, Geodesy, and
Gravimetry.
A. Evasion Studies.
D/GG produces three kinds of evasion studies for the Defense Depart-
ment: Evasion Geographies, Briefs on Escape Routes, and Combat Crew Briefs.
1. Evasion Geographies.
Evasion Geographies are comprehensive studies prepared for the
purpose of providing evasion data for use in the initial phase of a hot war.
These studies include all of the pertinent details on the physical and cul-
tural geography of a particular country that are necessary to enable an
evader to make his way out of the country with a minimum.exposure to risk
or danger. At present the primary emphasis is on the countries in the Soviet
Bloc or the countries that are peripheral to the Bloc. Within the two
years, it is expected that studies will have been completed on both periph-
eral and Bloc countries.
The Evasion Geographies are prepared in response to requests
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from the Department of the Air Force. About eight of these studies are pro-
duced and published annually by D/GG. Effective coordination of the entire
USAF-CIA evasion geography research program is accomplished by D/GG acting
as al uasi-exective office and assuming responsibility for the substantive
accuracy andApublication of all evasion geography studies done for the Depart-
ment of the Air Force. In fulfillment of this coordination responsibility,
a maximum of eight additional studies are published annually, based on
material provided by (1) the Arctic, Desert, Tropic Information Center, Air
University, Maxwell Field, Alabama; (2) the Far East Air Command, USAF; and
the Commander in Chief, Pacific, USN (CINPAC). The studies are disseminated
within CIA, as well as to the Air Force and other Defense agencies.'
2. Briefs on Escape Routes.
Briefs on Escape Routes are generalized descriptions of recom-
mended escape routes that are prepared in response to requests from the
Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Navy, These briefs,
prepared on the peripheral areas of the USSR, are contributions to intelli-
gence studies that are prepared by the Departments of the Air Force and the
Navy. Basic source material for these briefs are the most detailed and
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largest scale maps that are available, particularly those produced by the
country under consideration in its native language; these are procured pri-
marily from
3. Combat Crew Briefs.
Combat Crew Briefs are descriptions of selected safe areas and
routes thereto. The safe areas are places of temporary refuge for downed
crewmen. These briefs are prepared for the Departments of the Air Force and
the Navy. The briefs usually are based on the same kind of source material
that is used in the Evasion Geographies and the Briefs on Escape Routes.
B. Contributions to the National Intelligence Survey Program (NIS).
D/GG's contributions to the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) in-
volves both a production and a coordinating responsibility. Parts (economic,
sociological,,,political) of Chapter IX are prepared by the regional branches
of D/GG and, in addition, other parts of Chapter IX and Section 19 are received
from the Army Map Service, the Army Signal Corps Intelligence Agency, the
USAF Air Weather Service, the USAF Aeronautical Chart and Information Center,
the Military Geology Branch, USGS, the Navy Hydrographic Office, and the Navy
Photographic Interpretation Center. The NIS sections received from other
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agencies are integrated with the NIS sections that are prepared within D/GG.
The total NIS contribution is received and edited and then submitted to the
Office of Basic Intelligence (CIA/OBI), which is responsible for the final
coordination and publication of the entire NIS program.
C. Studies Produced Under D/GG's Self-Initiated Research Program.
The self-initiated research program of D/GG is one of the most
important segments of the total program, although it accounts for only a
small portion of the total production of D/GG. There are generally three
kinds of studies produced under this program: (1) studies, identifying
potential trouble spots, focusing attention on significant physical, cultural,
and geographic conditions that make the area particularly vulnerable to
Communist subversion or infiltration.- a good example of such a study
is the "regional Analysis of Northeast Thailand" (See paragraph ; below);
4W (2) basic geographic studies on areas on which comprehensive geographic
studies do not exist; and (3) geographic studies which introduce a new
analytical approach to a problem area, such as, the regional analysis of
Communist China.
The following intelligence reports are typical of those produced
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under the self-initiated program:
1. Geographic Intelligence Review.
The Geographic Intelligence Review is a periodical which provides
D/GG with a medium for disseminating geographic and geophysical intelligence
to the intelligence community. It is published about eight times annually.
The following kinds of articles are included in this periodical: (1) brief
articles presenting the results of research on areas of current or potential
intelligence interest, (2) interpretations of recent world-wide developments
in the fields of physical, economic, and cultural geography, (3) information
on recent developments in mapping programs and evaluations of recent CIA
acquisitions of maps and mapping materials, and (4) information on recent
changes or modifications in international and administrative boundaries.
All producing units in D/GG prepare contributions for this periodical.
2. Soviet Arctic.
The USSR Branch is preparing a comprehensive study, "The Soviet
Arctic," that presents the general economic and physical geography of the
Soviet Arctic, including data on terrain, climate, population and settlement,
transportation, and economic activity. The significant military aspects of
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the area are also included in this study. The broad scope of the study
is designed to provide the intelligence community with basic information
on the Soviet Arctic. The study is being done in cooperation with ERA
and is scheduled for completion by the end of FY 1956.
3. Soviet New Lands.
The USSR Branch has completed a '", "Geographic Analysis
of the Soviet New Lands Program" (G-13), which is an initial intelligence
study presenting a detailed examination of the basic geographic factors,
such as)climate and soils that may influence the success of the Soviet
new lands program. The study was done in cooperation with ERA and will
provide ERA with basic data for use on its forthcoming study on the same
subject.
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4. Regional Anaalysis of Northeast Thailand.
The Far East Branch is preparing a regional analysis of
Northeast Thailand* this economically depressed area has political and
sociological aspects that make it a potential trouble spot and, therefore,
fertile ground for Communist infiltration and subversion. This vulnera-
bility is very significant in view of the fact that Thailand is presently
one of the most loyal US allies in Southeast Asia. This.study analyzes
pertinent physical, economic, and cultural geographic factors bearing on
the stability and vulnerability of the area.
D. Studies in Direct Support of Clandestine Operations.
D/GG prepares studies in direct support of clandestine operational
planning. These studies are analyses of selected regions and localities
within Communist countries, detailed studies of international boundary
zones along the Iron Curtain, target studies, route studies, urban area
analyses, and stay-behind area analyses. These studies are prepared only
for the requester and are usually not disseminatedh
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some of the studies'are released eventually to the Department of the
Air Force, particularly to the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
E. Studies on USSR Capabilities and Activities in Mapping, Geodesy,
and Gravimetry.
The Staff on Soviet Mapping is responsible for the study of USSR capa-
bilities and activities in the fields of mapping, geodesy, and gravimetry,
particularly as they relate to Soviet capabilities in surveying and mapping
for the support of Soviet requirements in the world-wide positioning of tar-
gets for missile operation.
Through participation in the International Geophysical Year (IGY)
program, the USSR will be able to broaden significantly its capability to
collect, on a world-wide basis, physical environmental data that are relevant
to Soviet political, military, and economic interests. In addition, Soviet
participation in Anarctica for the IGY poses the problem of possible Soviet
political, economic, and geographic expansion which may transform area into
a potential trouble spot. A comprehensive study has been published on this
subject entitled, "Soviet Exploration and Research in the Antarctic" (GR-84);
a supplementary report of the same title has also been issued (GR-81+.1).
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Research and analysis of Soviet capabilities in geodesy and carto-
graphy, internal and foreign, have been summarized in D/GG studies on Soviet
capabilities in geodesy and cartography prepared as contributions to NIE
i1-6-54+ and NIE 11-5-56, "Soviet Capabilities and Probable Programs in the
Guided Missile Field." In addition, information on Soviet activities in
physical environmental research is reflected in the formulation of intelli-
gence collection guides and requirements for Soviet physical environmental
data needed for US defense purposes.
D/GG is represented on a Working Group of the Operations Coordina-
ting Board (CCB) which prepares intelligence studies and memoranda on Soviet
activities and intentions in the Arctic, particularly as they relate to
US operations and plans.
III. Source Material urged by D/GG in the Production of Intelligence Reports.
The source material used by D/GG in the production of intelligence re-
ports can be divided into general categories: raw and finished intel-
ligence, unclassified foreign and domestic geographic literature, maps, and
photography.
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A. Raw and Finished intelligence materials.
The wide variety of raw and finished intelligence materials that are
generally disseminated to the intelligence analysts in the IAC agencies pro-
vide important source material for researchers in D/GG. The Near East-Africa
Branch and the Far East Branch depend heavily on the raw intelligence since
the finished intelligence produced on their assigned areas is inadequate.
Finished intelligence materials, such as, the NIS's, the Joint Army-Navy Intel-
ligence Surveys (JANIS's),
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also provide valuable background material.
B. Unclassified Foreign and Domestic Geographic Literature.
.Each of the six regional branches of D/GG and the Staff on Soviet
Mapping maintains a working collection of unclassified foreign and domestic
geographic literature that provides basic data for use in intelligence research.
Much of this materials is selected from bibliographies and indexes and ordered
by the Branches.
The Near East-Africa collection is primarily English and European
language material and comprises a variety of individual books, pamphlets,
and periodicals. The Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Western Hemisphere
me M
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Branches have collections of periodicals, selected monographs, books, and
statistical works in English and the languages of their respective areas.
Many of these sources are purely geographic, but there are also sources
in related fields, such as, forestry, botany, and demography. Appropriate
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volumes of the
Handbooks are held by several Branches.
C. Maps.
Maps are an essential source material for geographers. Each
branch in D/GG maintains a working collection of regional and subject
maps that are pertinent to its assigned areas; these maps are obtained
from ' H p Additional maps are also obtained from D/GL
as they are needed.
D. Photography.
Aerial and ground photos and photo mosaics are important source
material. No photographic collections are maintained in D/GG all
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photography is obtained from the OCR, Graphs Register (OCR/GR) as it is
needed. A wide variety of data is obtained from photography, such as,
terrain data, characteristics of highways or railways, characteristics
of dwellings and regional dress, data on snow conditions, such as, the
depths of snow in mountain passes at different times of the year, and
adequate detail on vegetative cover that is not generally provided by
existing maps. The data derived from photography may be original or it
may be used to supplement, confirm, or refute intelligence data derived
from other sources. Photography also provides valuable graphic material
for inclusion in intelligence reports. Copies of pertinent photos,
ground and aerial, and photo mosaics are included in the majority of the
reports produced by D/GG.
IV. Organization of D/GG.
D/GG has approximately 50 persons on board and is sub-divided into
six regional branches and three staffs as is indicated in the organization
chart below;
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USSR Bunch
Satellites Branch
Far East Branch
Near East-Africa Branch
Western Europe Branch
'Western Hemisphere Branch
NOTE: The figure represent the number of persons on board.
The six regional branches are responsible for preparing intelligence
reports in the field of physical, economic, and cultural geography (See
Section II, paragraphs A-E). The Coordination Staff is responsible for
(1) coordinating the NIS contributions prepared by the regional branches
of D/GG with the contributions received from other government agencies,
(2) review d edit IMF the NIS contributions, and
(3) preparing the NIS contributions in final form for transmittal to the
r, m
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Office of Basic Intelligence (OBI). The Staff on Soviet Mapping is res-
ponsible for studying the capabilities and activities of the USSR in the
fields of mapping, geodesy, and gravimetry; producing reports on this
problem; and providing support to other components of CIA andother IAC
agencies. The Editing and Review.Staff is responsible for the editing
and review of reports produced by D/GG.
The geographic coverage of each regional branch in D/GG is illus-
trated in the map following page
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