2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/122946I present a brief survey of surveys, and their results and implications, intended to set the context for the ensuing discussion.14 pages, 2 figures, uses Mem SA It latex file mem.cls, included. Opening talk, Joint Discussion 13, `Exploiting Large Surveys for Galactic Astronomy', XXVI General Assembly of the IAU, Prague 2006Astrophysicstext