English

Serves as liaison for research in Mediterranean laboratories; promotes international activities on behalf of countries borde­ring the Mediterranean.

Coordinates and facilitates activities of Internatio­nal Scientific Unions in the field of exact and natu­ral sciences; maintains relations with the speciali­zed and related agencies of the UN.

A reference ellipsoid having the follow­ing approximate dimen­sions: semimajor axis 6378388.0 METRES; semiminor axis 63569­11.9 METRES; and the flattening or ellipti­city 1/297. See also HAYFORD'S SPHEROID and FLATTE­NING OF THE EARTH.

Brings together the leading national associations to exchange views of general interest to the profession and orga­nizes the liaison between the various affiliated associations.

Founded in 1922 to promote the study of geographical problems, IGU initiates and coordinates research and provides for scientific discussion and publication.

By international agreement, a period during which greatly increased OBSERVATION of world-wide geophysical PHENOMENA is undertaken through the cooperation effort of participating nations.

Founded in 1921 in the Principality of Monaco, to establish a close and permanent association among the hydrogra­phic offices of its Member States; since 1970 the headquar­ters of the INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION.

Coordi­nates the activities of national hydrographic offices; promotes standards and provides advice to developing countries in the fields of hydrographic surveying and production of nautical charts and publications.

Activities of the International Ice Patrol include collecting and analy­zing data concerning iceberg detection and movement. The Patrol's mission is to provide the latest informa­tion on iceberg positions and computer prediction of the extent of the iceberg danger zone to North Atlan­tic Mariners. Areas of study include iceberg detec­tion, drift and deterioration, surface object drift, and currents in the Grand Banks Region.

The Map of the World on the SCALE of 1/1 000 000 which was planned under the auspices of the Interna­tional Geographical Union and carried out by very many of the countries of the world.

A specialized agency of the United Nations whose primary role is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping. Its remit includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. IMO was formerly called the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).

A unit of length equal to 1,852 METRES. This value was approved by the International Hydrographic Conference of 1929 and has been adopted by nearly all maritime states.