# Rikets allmänna kartverk
**Wikidata**: [Q10655102](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10655102)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rikets-allmanna-kartverk

## Summary

Rikets allmänna kartverk was Sweden's national cartographic agency, established in 1894 to produce and maintain official maps of the country. The agency operated as a government agency until its dissolution in 1974, when its functions were reorganized under other Swedish mapping authorities. It represents a foundational institution in Swedish geographic documentation and national mapping infrastructure.

## Key Facts

- **Country**: Sweden
- **Inception date**: 1894
- **Dissolution date**: 1974
- **Classification**: Government agency
- **ISNI**: 0000000109445856
- **VIAF ID**: 148378039
- **Wikipedia language**: Swedish (sv)
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n81117316
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007603896605171
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/c26978c0-f91c-4a22-91e1-9b8bccac213b
- **Sitelink count**: 1

## FAQs

**What was Rikets allmänna kartverk?**

Rikets allmänna kartverk was Sweden's national mapping agency, operating as a government body responsible for producing official cartographic works representing the Swedish realm. The agency existed from 1894 to 1974.

**When was Rikets allmänna kartverk established and dissolved?**

The agency was founded in 1894 and was abolished in 1974, marking the end of nearly 80 years of continuous national cartographic operations in Sweden.

**What type of organization was Rikets allmänna kartverk?**

Rikets allmänna kartverk functioned as a Swedish government agency, falling within the classification of organizational bodies responsible for specific public services, in this case, national mapping and cartographic production.

**How is Rikets allmänna kartverk identified in international databases?**

The agency is catalogued with multiple international identifiers: ISNI 0000000109445856, VIAF ID 148378039, Library of Congress Authority ID n81117316, and National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007603896605171.

**What happened to Rikets allmänna kartverk's functions after 1974?**

Upon its dissolution in 1974, the agency's mapping responsibilities and functions were transferred to other Swedish mapping authorities, continuing the nation's cartographic work under new organizational structures.

## Why It Matters

Rikets allmänna kartverk represents a critical chapter in Swedish administrative history, serving as the primary institutional mechanism for national mapping during a period of significant technological and societal change. The agency's existence from 1894 to 1974 encompassed Sweden's transformation from a rural agrarian society through industrialization and into the modern era, documenting the nation's geographic evolution through official cartographic records.

The significance of Rikets allmänna kartverk extends beyond mere map production. As a government agency dedicated to systematic national mapping, it provided the geographic foundation infrastructure for urban planning, transportation development, resource management, and administrative governance. The detailed cartographic records produced under its authority served as essential references for government agencies, private industry, and citizens throughout Sweden.

The dissolution of Rikets allmänna kartverk in 1974 marked a transition in Swedish cartographic administration, consolidating mapping functions into newer institutional structures better suited to emerging technologies and methodologies in geographic information management. This reorganization reflected broader international trends in geographic data production and distribution, setting the stage for contemporary Swedish geospatial infrastructure.

## Notable For

- Operating as Sweden's primary national mapping agency for 80 years (1894-1974)
- Producing official cartographic documentation of the Swedish realm during a period of significant national development
- Maintaining comprehensive geographic records that served as authoritative references for government and public use
- Representing the institutional foundation for Sweden's modern cartographic and geospatial administration

## Body

### Historical Context and Establishment

Rikets allmänna kartverk was established in 1894 as Sweden's official national cartographic agency. The creation of this centralized mapping body reflected the growing need for systematic, authoritative geographic documentation as Sweden underwent substantial economic and social transformation during the late 19th century. The agency's mandate encompassed the production and maintenance of comprehensive maps covering the entire Swedish territory, providing standardized geographic information essential for effective governance and national development.

### Organizational Function

As a government agency, Rikets allmänna kartverk operated within the Swedish administrative framework, serving as the organizational entity responsible for public cartographic services. The agency's functions included the creation, production, and distribution of official maps representing Swedish territory, geographic features, administrative boundaries, and infrastructure. This work required substantial coordination with other government bodies, local administrations, and surveying operations throughout the country.

### International Identification and Cataloguing

Rikets allmänna kartverk is identified through multiple international authority systems, reflecting its recognition as a significant institutional entity within Swedish administrative history. The agency appears in the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) with identifier 148378039, enabling international cataloguing and reference. The International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) 0000000109445856 provides unique identification within creative property and authority databases. Additionally, the Library of Congress Authority ID n81117316 and National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007603896605171 further document the agency's presence in international bibliographic systems.

### Dissolution and Institutional Succession

The agency was dissolved in 1974, concluding 80 years of continuous operation as Sweden's national mapping authority. The dissolution represented a reorganization of Swedish cartographic functions, with responsibilities transferred to successor organizations better positioned to address evolving mapping technologies and methodologies. This transition occurred during a period of significant advancement in geographic information systems and cartographic science, necessitating institutional adaptation to new technical capabilities and public expectations for geographic data.

### Documentation and Preservation

The institutional records and cartographic outputs of Rikets allmänna kartverk remain significant sources for historical geographic research and Swedish administrative history. The agency's production of official maps during its operational period provides documented evidence of Swedish territorial conditions, infrastructure development, and geographic knowledge during a formative era. These materials continue to serve researchers, historians, and government agencies seeking to understand Sweden's geographic and administrative evolution throughout the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

## References

1. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File