CAF’s Geosur Program receives ESRI’s Presidential Award

(Caracas, Oct. 25, 2012).- ESRI, the biggest commercial geographical information system generating company in the world, has distinguished the GeoSUR Program with its distinguished Presidential Award. This is the highest distinction awarded by ESRI and was given to CAF –development bank of Latin America– and the Pan-American Geography and History Institute (IPGH, by its Spanish acronym) for the development of the Latin American and Caribbean websites, under the GeoSUR Program.

It’s a major recognition for both institutions as well the additional 60 that participate actively in the program. The award was received by GeoSUR Coordinator Eric Van Praag during the Executive Seminar that precedes the annual conference in San Diego, Cal.

In addition, ESRI Venezuela awarded the NASIG prize to GeoSUR in recognition of regional geoservices development deployed by this initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The GeoSUR Program, led by CAF and the Pan-American Geography and History Institute (IPGH) makes geographical information on Latin America and the Caribbean available for the public, which is useful to analyze vital variables in development planning. More than 60 institutions in 23 countries in the region participate actively in the program.

GeoSUR is the first portal with access to spatial information on every country in the region concentrated in one single place. This way, CAF contributes to a better knowledge of the region for development planning activities that require geographic information use.

Access to services offered by Geosur is free and does not require special software for its use. All the services are available on www.geosur.info and through www.caf.com.