The National Geographic Institute (NGI), the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine are proud to present two new editions: The Great Atlas by Ferraris and the Topographical Atlas of Belgium. Both publications will be published by Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine and will be available from 18 August 2026. Together, they form a unique exploration into the Belgian landscape: from the first large-scale map of our territory in 1777 to the most detailed current topographic maps at a scale of 1:25 000.

New edition of The Great Atlas by Ferraris: the first atlas of Belgium

The Great Atlas by Ferraris collects 275 hand-drawn and coloured map sheets from 1777, produced under the direction of Count Joseph-Jean François de Ferraris. The ‘Cabinet Map’ used as the basis for the atlas shows the landscape of the Austrian Netherlands and the Principality of Liège, which largely corresponds to present-day Belgium. There was no mention of Belgium at that time: our country did not come into existence until 1830 when Belgium seceded from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

With symbols, colours and minute topographical indications, the maps depict in amazing detail the landscape as it looked in the eighteenth century: soil types, road network, habitation, industry, boundaries and relief.

This work was carried out in close collaboration with the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) and the publishers Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine. For the atlas, the original map sheets, kept in KBR, were re-scanned in even greater detail and with attention to faithful colour reproduction. The map sheets were then scaled down to 1:24 000 to suit the book format. This reduction in scale allows readers to compare historical maps one-to-one with contemporary topographic maps. An indispensable work for anyone interested in discovering the evolution of their home town or region.

The most detailed topographical atlas of Belgium

For the first time, an atlas will be published that encompasses the entire Belgian territory on a scale of 1:25 000. This edition combines the first (2016–2022) and second (2024–2029) editions of NGI’s topographical maps. Each map is the result of a meticulous process that brings together geography, computer science, fieldwork and centuries of cartographical expertise.

The Topographical Atlas of Belgium contains 236 map sheets, each covering 160 km² and offers an unparalleled representation of the terrain: hydrography, vegetation, roads and pioneer roads, railway lines, micro-relief, buildings and countless other landscape elements. The atlas therefore constitutes the most complete and up-to-date picture of Belgium today.

Explore the map of our country for yourself

Can’t wait for the atlases and want to see with your own eyes how Belgium’s landscape has changed? Then be sure to check out the new Topoferrarisviewer, which allows you to place Ferraris’ well-known 1777 map next to the NGI’s most up-to-date maps. In addition to these two maps of Belgium, the historical topographical map series of the NGI and predecessors are also available on the viewer, allowing you to follow the evolution of the landscape through the centuries. The viewer is available as a web application and as a mobile app in Google Play and the App Store.

Available soon

Both works will be published by Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine and will be available from 18 August 2026.

Order them now from Lannoo’s webshop:

De Grote Atlas van Ferraris – Le Grand Atlas de Ferraris | Lannoo Publishers

Topografische Atlas van België/Atlas Topographique de Belgique | Lannoo Publishers

About the NGI

The National Geographic Institute (NGI) is the national geographic information agency under the supervisory authority of the Minister of Defence. NGI produces, manages and disseminates accurate geographic reference data and, as a federal geo-broker, facilitates innovative solutions that make geographic information accessible and usable by government agencies, the Ministry of Defence, emergency services, businesses and citizens.

About KBR

The Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) is the national scientific library of Belgium. It collects all Belgian publications and preserves, manages and studies a vast cultural and historical patrimony of over eight million documents, including unique items such as the historical Ferraris map. KBR provides public access to information, facilitates research and offers cultural experiences. By creating new connections between people, knowledge and heritage, KBR enables society to discover, interpret, explore and reuse cultural memory.

About Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine

Lannoo Uitgevers Group is a family business with the scale and influence of an international group. The group’s wings include Uitgeverij Lannoo and Éditions Racine, each with its own identity, speciality and audience – linked by common values and a shared passion for the publishing profession.

Technical data

De Grote Atlas van Ferraris – Le Grand Atlas de Ferraris

EAN (ISBN): 9789401498784
First publication date: 18/08/2026
Book language: Dutch and French
Number of pages: 608
Dimensions (hxwxl): 463x343x50 mm
Publisher: Lannoo and Racine
Binding method: Hardback

Topografische Atlas van België – Atlas Topographique de Belgique

EAN (ISBN): 9789401498791
First publication date: 18/08/2026
Book language: Dutch and French
Number of pages: 544
Dimensions (hxwxl): 463x343x45 mm
Publisher: Lannoo and Racine
Binding method: Hardback

 

Download the press release here.

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