The British Geological Survey (BGS) was established in 1835 and is the world's first national geological survey, with headquarters in Nottingham, Keyworth and England, and branch offices in Wallingford, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London. The main task of the British Geological Survey is to carry out systematic surveys, examinations and studies of the UK continent and shelf, to expand the UK's geological knowledge base, to provide the UK government with all relevant information in the geological field, and to provide sound advice to the UK government on geographically related industrial and academic issues.