National Land Survey of Finland 1812 - 2012

State-run surveying in Finland originated in the period of Swedish rule. In 1633 the Räknekammaren of the Kammarkollegium (known today as The Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency) sent the first surveyor to Finland. Surveying became an independent part of the civil service in 1683, when the Royal Head Survey Office was founded in Stockholm. The first provincial survey offices were opened in 1725. The last Director General who served the Swedish realm resigned his post when Russia conquered Finland in 1809, which also meant that all administrative ties to Swedish surveying were broken.

The highest governing body of the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland, the Governing Council (later the Senate), was founded at the Porvoo Diet. The Governing Council supervised several Divisions with different responsibilities. Surveying was a part of the Economic Division, although in practice the administration of the Grand Duchy lacked expertise in surveying. Central agencies were founded according to need, since the Senate was unable to make decisions without a specialised cadre of experts. The Economic Division suggested the establishment of a Survey Office in 1811.