The Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGMI), established in 1861, is the cartographic body of the Italian state, with the task of producing, updating and making available the Italian official cartography. Operating under the Ministry of Defense, IGMI not only supports the Armed Forces, but also operates in the civilian sector by providing high-quality geographic data for public agencies, professionals and citizens.
IGMI has a key role in the modernization process of Italian spatial data, ensuring accuracy, reliability and interoperability. It actively collaborates in the European INSPIRE project, which aims to create a common infrastructure for geographic information in Europe, facilitating the exchange and sharing of data among member states.
As part of the National High-Value Data Program, the Institute, which has been appointed to be responsible for geospatial datasets concerning geographic names and state land borders, publishes the related datasets in an open and free format.
IGMI is also responsible for managing the National Geodetic Networks, which are essential for ensuring a uniform spatial reference throughout the country. The National Geodetic Network (RDN) ensures the stability and consistency of the geographic coordinate system, while the PEGASO network provides a real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) service for precision applications, used by farmers, technicians and engineers.
IGMI is responsible for the management and maintenance of national borders, ensuring the proper definition of Italy’s land borders, in cooperation with neighboring countries.
One of the main tools made available to users is the Database di Sintesi Nazionale (DBSN), a comprehensive and homogeneous database of the Italian territory, structured according to national and international standards. The DBSN can be consulted and downloaded free of charge from the Institute’s official website, and is a key resource for urban planning, environmental management, land studies and civil protection.
IGMI produces maps at different scales: from the most detailed maps (1:25,000) to the largest ones (1:250,000 or more).
Cartography, produced according to high standards of accuracy, is used for institutional, military and civilian purposes, for land planning, civil defense, and land study.
Maps include detailed information on: orography, hydrography, settlements, roads, administrative borders, land use, named places, etc.
