International Hydrographic Organization

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The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is an intergovernmental international organization established in 1921. The IHO was the outgrowth of international conferences and congresses held as early as 1889.

The IHO is composed of its member states (represented by their respective hydrographic offices) with administration through the International Hydrographic Bureau with headquarters in Monaco. Direction of the Bureau is through directors elected by member states. The organization's function is to coordinate Hydrography and hydrographic activities of the member states. The IHO does not itself control significant hydrographic assets.

The organization's goals are stated as "support the safety in navigation and the protection of the marine environment" with support of coordinated and uniform hydrographic products and surveys and by improving techniques of member states for producing those products.

The IHO publishes Limits of Oceans and Seas, which specifies the boundaries between the oceans.<ref>Limits of Oceans and Seas. International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication No. 23, 3rd Edition, 1953.</ref> In 2000 they officially defined the boundaries of the Southern Ocean.

French and English are the two official languages of the organisation.