The projects to discover and map the territory of San Luis Potosí in the second half of the 19th century

Abstract

After gaining independence, the Mexican state faced the need to map its territory for its organization and defense. During the first half of the 19th century, political chaos and a lack of resources prevented the creation of accurate maps. In San Luis Potosí, despite the interest in knowing its territory, the initial efforts lacked scientific rigor. Local maps were produced with little dissemination and precision.
The defeat against the United States in 1848 highlighted the lack of reliable cartography, which prompted the creation of institutions such as the Mexican Society of Geography and Statistics in 1833. In 1853, San Luis Potosí established an auxiliary board, which produced its first Geographical and Statistical Report. However, the lack of continuity limited its impact. Later, the demand for cartographers increased with the boom in mining companies and haciendas, which promoted the hiring of foreign engineers.
With the political stabilization after the Restoration of the Republic in 1867, cartographic projects were reactivated. In 1869, San Luis Potosí reorganized its auxiliary board, made up of scientists and lawyers who produced work on geography and mining. Finally, in 1894, the Geographical Exploration Commission published the General Map of the State, based on local information. This process demonstrated that Mexican cartography depended on state and local efforts to consolidate.