The purpose of this paper is to attempt a broad review of some of the factors that influence the economic development of a country and to illustrate in general terms the importance and the application of airborne survey techniques, as a means of collecting the information on which any sound development must be based.

The industrial and agricultural revolution that is now taking place on a world-wide scale demands a completely new approach to the problem of economic development. When economic development was slow and confined to small areas it was sufficient perhaps to base that development on limited information. Today, however, the pace is quickening every year, but the speed with which we are obtaining the information, on which such development must be based, is lagging behind.

Why is the present position different from any other epoch in world history? The main cause is the industrial revolution, which has produced rapid means of communication, by air and by radio. The Twentieth Century now lives literally as neighbour to the Stone Age.