Geological surveys in the tropics; the Brazilian experience (1875-1934)

This paper presents and discusses three case studies of scientific organizations involving geology, based on successive institutional models of geological surveys, namely: the "Geological Commission of Brazil", the "Geographical and Geological Commission of Sao Paulo", and the Geological and Mineralogical Survey of Brazil". The issues linked to the exploitation of the land opened the way to the development of geological sciences in Brazil. Contrary to what one might expect, in view of Brazil's considerable mineral resources, the institutionalization of geology was linked more directly to agriculture rather than to mining. It was the interests of agriculture, especially those related to coffee planting, that influenced the direction of research and the results obtained.