The Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGMI) provides geotopographic support to the units and commands of the Italian Army. The Institute is the cartographic body of the Italian State, according to N° 68 dated February 2, 1960, and operates under the Operational Land Forces Command. The Institute works, therefore, to provide its many users, both public and private, with authoritative cartographic products that offer a total guarantee in terms of content and official status for the description of the territory.
The Institute’s main activities are:
The Institute’s staff is actively involved in peace keeping operations.
IGMI was established as the cartographic body of the Armed Forces, following the unification of Italy, in 1861. At the beginning, the Institute mainly supported the Army and the Defence, while nowadays it is the National Mapping Authority, thanks to the very high quality of its products and activities. As early as 1941, in a letter dated January 20, the Cabinet of the Ministry of War appointed IGMI General Director as Chief of the Delegations of the Joint Commissions for the Maintenance of the State Borders. In 1960, by Law N°68, IGMI was established as the National Mapping Authority, and since then the cartography produced by the Institute is to be considered the State official cartography.
As the Institute is both the Italian Army Mapping Authority and the National Mapping Authority, it is necessary to combine the geospatial requirements of the Ministry of Defence, also depending on the agreements signed with NATO, with those asked by national and EU regulations. In 2007, the European Union issued the INSPIRE Directive, which sets out the specific requirements for spatial data that member states must comply with in order to make geographic information and databases interoperable between them. IGMI activities have therefore a double nature because of the two tasks that are carried out and are the results of the International relations of Italy within the new International geostrategic framework.
As the Institute has to carry out a multiplicity of tasks, it is playing an important role as a centre of production, study, collection and sales within the geographic information field (Cartography, Geodesy, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Geographic Information Systems). IGMI is also playing a key role in the international context because of its task of integration and standardization of the geographic information together with NATO and EU partners.
The Superior School of Geographic Sciences, sole entity at a National level, is in charge of carrying out the professional formation in Cartography and Topography. Every year, several courses are organized in favour of internal technical staff and a master’s degree in level II, through partnerships with the University of Florence.
In this field IGMI is responsible for:
In this field IGMI is responsible for:
Given the tasks it has been assigned, the Italian Military Geographic Institute is the Italian technical reference authority in the geospatial information field. Foreign geographic organizations consider IGMI to be the National authority for production, distribution, standardization of geospatial products.
IGMI’s main activities are listed below:
As of July 1, 2024, the Commander of the Military Geographic Institute is Major General Luigi POSTIGLIONE.
Graduated in Civil Engineering, majoring in Transportation, and Strategic Sciences, he holds a master’s degree in International Strategic-Military Studies from ROME, a 2nd level master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the University of TURIN, a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Carlisle, in the United States, and a master’s degree in Global Strategy and Security from the University of Turin.
Discover the Italian Military Geographic Institute Museum and Library, a fascinating journey through the history of cartography and geography. Explore unique collections of historical maps, documents, and scientific instruments. An ideal place for both geography lovers and academics, where culture and knowledge meet. Come visit us and be inspired!
The Italian Military Geographic Institute produces and updates Italy’s official cartography, operating in both military and civilian fields. It participates in the INSPIRE project, publishes high-value data, manages the PEGASO and RDN geodetic networks, maintains national borders, and makes the Database of National Synthesis (DBSN) freely available. A strategic body for defense, land use planning and development of the country.
The Superior School of Geographic Sciences (SSSG) of the Italian Military Geographic Institute provides training and continuing education for military and civilian personnel of the Italian Ministry of Defence in the field of cartography and related disciplines.
Established in 1872, same year as the founding of the Institute, it was appointed to the training of personnel in charge of national cartography production. Among the scientists who were involved in teaching geotopocartographic disciplines might be recalled: Giovanni Boaga, Antonio Marussi, father of modern mathematical geodesy, and Ermenegildo Santoni, inventor of aero-photogrammetry.
Personnel working at the Italian Military Geographic Institute:
Military personnel enter the Army through the Army recruitment channels (more information at www.esercito.difesa.it).
Civilian personnel is hired through open competition(*).
Civilian staff of the Ministry of Defense (and of all Italian Ministries) is classified into three Functional Areas (First, Second and Third), which are in turn divided into “Fasce” (the complete list of the Areas and “Fasce” Positions is in the Annex “A” of the 2006/2009 CCNL of the “Ministries” Sector).
Access to the Functional Areas is subject to pass an open competition.
Competitions for access to civilian employment within IGMI are announced by the Ministry of Defense in the Official Gazette
– 4th Special Series – Competitions.
The Ministry of Defense’s competition notices and related information are published on the website of the Ministry’s General Directorate for Civilian Personnel.
(*) except for some profiles which recruitment is done through the procedures provided by Law 56/1987, as amended.
