What is the main function of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)?

The main function of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is to provide geospatial intelligence for national security. The NGA plays a critical role in supporting national defense by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial data that informs decision-making at various levels of government and military operations. This involves integrating and interpreting geographic information related to terrain, infrastructure, and other elements that can impact strategic planning and operations.

The focus of the NGA is on national security, which encompasses a wide range of activities including military operations, intelligence gathering, and disaster response, among others. This national security mandate differentiates its activities from those that might focus solely on financial assistance, environmental studies, or marketing data collection. Thus, the emphasis on geospatial intelligence reflects the agency's vital role in ensuring that policymakers and military leaders have the geographic context necessary to make informed decisions in a complex and often dynamic global environment.