Timeline
It all began about two centuries ago
1831
The Dépôt de la Guerre is founded
The NGI has only officially existed since 1976 but its story begins way back in 1831.
At that time, the army established the Dépôt de la Guerre (DLG) with one clear mission: to provide the army with high-quality maps and related data (because the Dutch had taken just about everything with them!).
Decision to set up the Dépôt de la Guerre (DLG), 1831. Source: NGI collection.
Garrison map of Belgium – one of the first maps of the DLG, 1832. Source: NGI collection.
Sample copy of the first topographical map at a scale of 1:80 000, 1834. Source: War
Heritage Institute collection.
1843
Border maps are created
After Belgian independence, the DLG takes part in border negotiations with the
Netherlands and Luxembourg. The agreed boundaries are then carefully mapped by
the DLG, based on which Belgium largely assumes its present form.
Border map 5 of the border between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Belgium, 1843.
Source: Archives nationales de Luxembourg.
Treaty of London: the division of Luxembourg between Belgium and the Netherlands, 1839.
Source: National Archives of the Netherlands.
1851
Foundations of the geodetic net
In Lommel and Ostend, officers measure two geodetic basic references according to the Bonne projection. These measurements serve as the starting point for the triangulation of the entire country. The work is not done from behind a desk, but from the top of tall wooden towers.
Triangulation map of Belgium of the first order, 1875. Source: NGI collection.
Land surveying from the air, a photo from 1925. Source: NGI collection.
1854
Reduction of cadastral maps
Between 1847 and 1854, DLG officers reduce the detailed cadastral maps of all 2532 Belgian municipalities to a scale of 1:20,000. They supplement these in the field with local topographic elements. These updated maps later form the basis for the first topographic maps.
Reduced cadastral plan of Namur, 1850. Source: NGI collection.
Pantograph, a tool used to produce a smaller copy of a map. Source: Engraving on copper
by Robert Bénard, 1763.
1878
Transformation into the Military Cartographic Institute
The Dépôt de la Guerre becomes the Military Cartographic Institute (MCI). It's no longer an army division but an independent institution under the Minister of Defence. The new headquarters? The stately La Cambre Abbey, where the NGI remains until 2020.
The Military Cartographic Institute (MCI) on the site of La Cambre Abbey, Map ‘Brussels
and its surroundings’, 1893. Source: NGI collection.
Postcard of the site of La Cambre Abbey from the air, date unknown. Source: NGI
collection.
Aerial photo of La Cambre Abbey showing the entrance to the MCI, date unknown. Source:
NGI collection.
1880
The first topographic map of Belgium
Twenty years after the project started, the very first topographic map of Belgium is finally completed. Between 1860 and 1873, surveyors carried out the slow, painstaking process of recording every little hill, stream and village on paper. The map was published at a scale of 1:20,000 (colour) and 1:40,000 (black and white).
Ghent on an extract of the topographic map 1:20,000, 1863. Source: NGI collection.
1914
German Occupation
German troops capture La Cambre Abbey and the MCI is then used for war purposes. Belgium grows after the end of the war: the East Cantons are annexed, accounting for some 18 new map sheets to the 1:20,000 topographic map.
Cartographers at work, probably during World War I. Source: collection NGI.
The Germans occupy the MCI on the site of La Cambre Abbey, 1914. Source: NGI
collection.
Workplace of a cartographer, probably during World War I. Source: collection NGI.
1936
Experiments with aerial photography during interwar years
After the war, there was once again opportunity and funding for experimentation: the photogrammetry service is established, and camera equipment is purchased. Unfortunately, this valuable material disappears during the Second World War.
Aerial photograph of Camp Beverlo, Leopoldsburg, 1922. Source: NGI collection.
Aerial photograph of Camp Beverlo with annotations, Leopoldsburg,1922. Source: NGI
collection.
1947
The Military Geographic Institute is born
The institute undergoes another name change: from Military Cartographic Institute to Military Geographic Institute (MGI). The range of tasks is expanded, and it assumes a more scientific approach. The organisational chart changes and the workforce grows to 723 employees.
Employees at work in the drawing office. Source: NGI collection.
An employee checks proofs from the printing press. Source: collection NGI.
Employees at work in the drawing office. Source: NGI collection.
1957
Scientific expeditions to Antarctica
In 1957, the International Year of Geophysics, a colleague from the MGI participates in the Belgian expedition to Antarctica. He braves the icy cold conditions to take measurements and help map this part of the world. This was followed by five more expeditions, and in 1967, the completion of the Belgian King Baudouin Base.
Snowcat with the Belgian flag from one of the Antarctic expeditions, 1964 - 1970. Source:
Wikipedia.
The Belgica, the ship of the first Belgian Antarctic mission led by A. de Gerlache, 1898.
Source: Wikipedia.
1970
New topographic map based on aerial photographs
For the first time, a new topographic map of Belgium is created based on aerial
photographs. The project started in 1955 and was completed in 1970. This results in maps at a scale of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000, which provide a much more detailed and up-to-date view of the country.
Map sheet 31/3-4 Brussels-Zaventem at a scale of 1:25,000, 1959. Source: NGI collection.
Map sheet 31 Brussels at a scale of 1:50,000, 1974. Source: NGI collection.
1976
Belgian National Geographic Institute is established
On 8 June 1976, the Military Geographic Institute becomes the National Geographic
Institute (NGI). The distinction between military and civilian personnel disappears but
the work continues.
Extract from the Belgian Official Gazette of legal text establishing the NGI, 8 June 1976.
Source: NGI collection.
Press conference marking the establishment of the NGI with Minister of National Defence
Paul Vanden Boeynants, 1976. Source: NGI collection.
1980
The digital revolution
Hello, computers! The NGI completely embraces the digital revolution. The introduction of computers marks the beginning of the digitisation and automation of the production process.
Digitisation gets under way at the NGI. Source: NGI collection.
Digitisation gets under way at the NGI. Source: NGI collection.
1994
The first digitally created topographic map of Belgium
It's a first: the new topographic map, at scales of 1:10,000 and 1:20,000, is produced entirely digitally. The maps can be purchased at the NGI shop on Avenue Louise.
Map sheet Brussels from the 1:20,000-scale digital topographic map, 1994. Source: NGI
collection.
The NGI shop on the Avenue Louise. Source: NGI collection.
The NGI shop on the Avenue Louise. Source: NGI collection.
2013
Development of Cartoweb
CartoWeb.be is a free web service (WMTS/WMS) on which maps are displayed at 11 different scales (1:2,500 - 1:4,000,000), specifically designed for on-screen viewing.
Anyone can use CartoWeb.be to access our latest topographic data online. Just click and view.
Topomapviewer, https://topomapviewer.ngi.be/. Source: created by the NGI.
2016
Launch of BeGeo
The NGI launches BeGeo: the leading conference and fair that brings together
governments, companies and researchers from the Belgian geospatial sector. BeGeo has now become the meeting point for anyone interested in geodata. It reinforces the NGI's growing role as a geobroker: a hub for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation.
BeGeo exhibition floor 2024. Source: NGI collection.
Laureates at the BeGeo Awards 2024, Replay. Source: NGI collection.
2020
Move to the Royal Military Academy (RMA)
After nearly 150 years at La Cambre Abbey, the NGI starts packing its boxes. Its new
home? The site of the Royal Military Academy in Brussels. The move offers a fresh start while
strengthening collaboration with Defence. Things are also happening online, with the
NGI getting a fresh new look.
New NGI buildings by Jeroen Vranckaert. Source: NGI collection.
Inauguration of new NGI buildings by Ludivine Dedonder, the Minister of Defence at the
time. Source: NGI collection.
New NGI buildings by Jeroen Vranckaert. Source: NGI collection.
2026
50 Years of NGI
Hooray! The NGI is turning 50 and we're celebrating with a festive programme of
events, new publications and much more.
And 2026 will not only be a special year for the NGI; our partners are also
celebrating important milestones. We're celebrating 100 years of the Toponymy
Commission (since 1926) and 200 years of the Belgian Royal Observatory (since
1826). Moreover, 2026 also marks the 300th birthday of cartographer Joseph de
Ferraris (1726).
But this is not just a year of looking to the past and we are already forging ahead
with plenty of plans for the future. Because we want to carry on for another 50 years.
The best is yet to come!
To celebrate 50 years of NGI, a special logo was developed. Source: NGI collection.
