Every year, bpost releases special stamps. In 2026, one of these will feature topographic maps. From June 2026, you can use this limited edition NGI stamp to send your letters.
The NGI will be included in the 2026 bpost stamp collection, a symbolic recognition that coincides precisely with the Institute’s 50th anniversary. The new collection of postage stamps, which was unveiled on 28 November at the bpost site in Mechelen, tells the story of Belgium, past and present.
Despite 2026 marking its official 50th anniversary, the NGI’s history goes much further back in time. As early as 1831, the Provisional Government established the Dépôt de la Guerre et de la Topographie (DLG, 1831-1878), a military division tasked with providing maps for the armed forces. In the course of Belgian history, the DLG changed its name and approach several times. The Military Cartographic Institute (MCI, 1878-1947) detached itself from the army. The Military Geographic Institute (1947-1976) gained an additional scientific mission. Finally, the institution was demilitarised and became the National Geographic Institute (NGI, 1976-present), serving primarily the government and society.
The stamps feature five different map fragments of Brussels Park in chronological order. Bordered by the Royal Palace to the south and the Federal Parliament to the north, Brussels Park played an important role in the Belgian Revolution. The stamp on the left shows the first topographic map of Belgium from 1865, which has a distinctly aesthetic character. The second stamp shows an updated version of the map from the year 1891. The shades of grey show that the artistic approach had to gradually make way for a more functional representation. The middle stamp jumps forward to 1958 and depicts the postwar topographic map of Belgium. A notable feature of that map is the Brussels Inner Ring Road, marked in orange, which reflects the growing impact of automobile traffic. The penultimate map dates from 1994 and looks sleeker and more modern. That topographical map was the first to be produced entirely digitally. The final stamp shows the most recent topographical map from 2019.
With these five small windows on the past and the present, the NGI is offering the public the unique perspective of an evolving country, as seen through the eyes of its cartographers. Just a little more patience: starting 15 June 2026, the stamps will be available through the bpost e-shop and through our shop.