Abstract: The development of surveying and mapping as well as its key sub-disciplines is analyzed. Also the theoretical basis and application of the fundmental sub-disciplines in the discipline "Geomatics" are discussed. By comparison the result shows that the development of "surveying and mapping" in the information era is "Geomatics". Some new terms about the discipline "Geomatics" are given. In author's opinion, "Spatial Information" or "Spatial Information Engineering" can represent the characteristics of future development of surveying and mapping.