Beijing on Friday issued its first comprehensive survey of geographical conditions.

The census report, compiled on the basis of a three-year thorough investigation, shows Beijing’s overall situation and data on land and soil, water, and agriculture.

“It’s important to understand the geographic conditions of the city while policymakers lay down policies and create a better living environment for residents,” said Tao Zhihong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Land Resources and Housing Administration.

Census data was referenced while authorities drafted the overall planning of Beijing and the development of the capital’s subcenter, according to the administration.

Tao said they will continue monitoring the city’s geographical conditions this year to timely update the data.

Wu Wanbiao, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics, said the census data is also important for integrated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

A specialized database has been created to serve as a reference for policymaking, Wu said.

The Beijing geographic census is based on the requirement by the central government that a national census of geographic conditions would be conducted between 2013 and 2015.