The need for geographical knowledge in Mexico led to the creation of the Mexican Society of Geography and Statistics. Since its foundation in 1833, its members have worked both to disseminate geographical knowledge and to inform government decisions at various levels.

The geographical engineer Francisco Jimenez was an active member of the Society and became its President in 1874. His prestige was high, because he worked in the Mexican Boundary Commission between 1848 and 1857, as well as in some other government ministries such as Foment. As a member of the Society, he conducted several studies that led to a wider and more precise understanding of the national territory. Some decisions made by the government were based on his work. The present paper analyses some documents by Francisco Jimenez, published in the Society bulletin, that led to the public spread of this knowledge.