What Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España does

Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España (IGN) is a Spanish government autonomous organism (Organismo Autónomo) operating under the Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible, founded in 1870 and headquartered at C/ General Ibáñez de Ibero 3, Madrid. It is Spain's official geographic institute and serves as the primary statutory source for national cartography, geodesy, seismology, volcanology, astronomy, and geomagnetism. Its operational arm, the Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica (CNIG), manages production and distribution of cartographic products and the National Cartographic System.

The institute operates a portfolio of core platforms: the Atlas Nacional de España (ANEXXI) digital atlas, the IBERPIX web-based map and aerial imagery visualizer, the SIGNA spatial analysis platform, the Centro de Descargas data download center, the IDEE Spatial Data Infrastructure geoportal, and the PNOA national aerial orthophotography program. Real-time operational systems include the National Seismic Network (Red Sísmica Nacional) with AENOR-certified emergency management for earthquake and tsunami alerts, the redGAE-based Real-Time GNSS Positioning Service, and the Volcanic Surveillance System covering the Canary Islands. Mobile applications extend the offering across earthquakes (IGN Terremotos), solar eclipses (IGN Eclipses), outdoor recreation (Mapas de España), National Parks, and Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, distributed through Google Play, App Store, and AppGallery.

IGN is funded primarily through the Spanish national government budget, with secondary commercial revenue from cartographic product sales (Tienda Virtual CNIG), customized map production (Mapa a la Carta), and selected paid downloads through the Centro de Descargas. The primary customer is the Spanish public administration at national, regional, and local levels, supplemented by citizen access via free data services, academic and research users, and professional GIS practitioners. The institution celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025 and employs 501–1,000 staff.

Name

Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España

Legal name

Instituto Geográfico Nacional

Website

https://ign.es

Company type

Public

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España is Spain's official national geographic institute, providing official cartography, geodesy, seismic and volcanic monitoring, and astronomical services to the Spanish public administration, citizens, academia, and professional GIS users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Geographic Information and National Mapping Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines) (EUAHAKAB)

Keywords

• National mapping services
• Geographic information systems
• Seismic monitoring networks
• Cartographic data production
• Spatial data infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Government Budget): As a government autonomous organism under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, IGN receives direct public funding from the Spanish government budget for its cartographic, geodetic, seismological, and astronomical functions.
2. Geographic Data and Products Sales: Sale of cartographic products, maps, publications, and geographic data through the virtual store (cnig.es) and physical sales points. Includes customized map products (Mapa a la Carta) and specialized geographic datasets.
3. Download Center Services: Free and paid downloads of geographic data, orthophotos, cartographic bases, and thematic maps through the Centro de Descargas platform.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) is Spain's official national geographic institute, producing official cartography, maintaining the national geodetic reference system, operating real-time seismic and volcanic monitoring networks, providing high-precision GNSS positioning services, and managing the national spatial data infrastructure (IDEE). Through its operational arm CNIG, IGN distributes geographic data, maps, atlases, publications, and mobile applications to public administration agencies, professionals, citizens, and academic users across Spain.

Product overview

The Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España (IGN) operates as Spain's national geographic and cartographic authority under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, managing the Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica (CNIG). The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of geographic information products and services organized around core platforms including the Atlas Nacional de España (ANE) digital atlas, the IBERPIX map visualizer, SIGNA spatial analysis platform, and the Centro de Descargas for cartographic data. Mobile applications cover eclipse tracking (IGN ECLIPSES), seismic monitoring (IGN Terremotos), outdoor navigation (Mapas de España), national parks information, and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes. The IGN also maintains Spain's spatial data infrastructure (IDEE), aerial photography archives (PNOA, Fototeca Digital), and real-time GNSS positioning services, serving both government agencies and public citizens through physical and digital channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atlas Nacional de España (ANE): National Atlas of Spain - a comprehensive geographic knowledge resource covering Spanish geography, demographics, climate, environment, and socio-economic topics.

Products and services

• Atlas Nacional de España (ANE) Comprehensive digital atlas of Spain providing cartographic representation of geographic knowledge through maps, statistical graphics, illustrations, and images organized by thematic sections. Serves researchers, educators, public administrators, and citizens needing authoritative Spanish geographic reference material.
• IBERPIX Map Visualizer Web-based interactive map visualizer providing access to Spain's cartographic data, orthophotos, and geographic information layers with multiple data overlays. Used by government agencies, professionals, and the public for consulting and overlaying Spanish geographic information.
• SIGNA Spatial Data Platform Spatial data visualization and analysis platform for consulting and analyzing geographic and cartographic information. Serves government users, researchers, and GIS professionals needing analytical tools for Spanish geographic data.
• Centro de Descargas (Download Center) Download center for geographic and cartographic data including thematic maps, physical and political maps of Spain and the world, cartographic bases, orthophotos, and ANE resources. Offers both free and paid data products for public administration, professionals, researchers, and citizens.
• Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales de España (IDEE) Spanish Spatial Data Infrastructure geoportal providing standardized access to geographic data and services following OGC standards. Enables interoperability and sharing of geographic information across Spanish public administration and external users.
• Red Sísmica Nacional (National Seismic Network) National seismic monitoring network providing real-time earthquake information, seismic activity data, tsunami warnings, and macrosismic surveys for Spain and surrounding regions. AENOR-certified emergency management procedures (GEM-2021-0003). Serves public safety, government, researchers, and citizens.
• Servicio de Posicionamiento GNSS en Tiempo Real Real-time GNSS positioning service providing differential GPS corrections and precise positioning data through the redGAE network across Spain. Serves surveyors, engineers, GIS professionals, and government agencies requiring high-precision positioning.
• Plan Nacional de Ortofotografía Aérea (PNOA) National aerial orthophotography plan providing comprehensive high-resolution aerial imagery coverage of Spanish territory. Used by government agencies, professionals, and researchers for cartographic, planning, and analysis purposes.
• CartoCiudad Urban cartographic data platform integrating municipal boundary information, street addresses, and geographic references for Spanish cities. Serves public administration, logistics, emergency services, and commercial address validation needs.
• SIOSE (Sistema de Información de Ocupación del Suelo) Land use information system providing standardized land cover and occupation data for Spain. Used by environmental agencies, urban planners, and researchers for land use analysis and planning.
• Red de Acelerógrafos SILEX Accelerograph network for seismic monitoring and earthquake engineering applications across Spain. Provides strong-motion data for seismic engineering analysis, building code development, and risk assessment.
• Plan Nacional de Teledetección (PNT) National remote sensing plan providing satellite imagery and earth observation data for Spain. Serves government agencies, researchers, and professionals needing standardized satellite-based geographic information.
• Fototeca Digital Digital archive of aerial photography and cartographic images documenting Spain's geographic history. Used by researchers, historians, government, and the public for historical research and reference.
• Mapa a la Carta Custom map service allowing users to create and order customized cartographic products tailored to specific areas, scales, and themes. Serves professionals, government, and citizens needing bespoke maps.
• Tienda Virtual CNIG Virtual store for purchasing IGN/CNIG cartographic products, publications, maps, atlases, books, and geographic data. Serves citizens, professionals, and institutions needing printed and digital cartographic products.
• IGN ECLIPSES Mobile App Mobile application for consulting and planning solar eclipses visible in Spain in 2026, 2027, and 2028, showing detailed eclipse views from any point in Spanish territory. Serves general public, astronomers, educators, and eclipse enthusiasts.
• IGN Terremotos Mobile App Mobile application providing earthquake information, distances, and epicentral parameters in Spain and surrounding areas, including tsunami warnings. Serves citizens, emergency responders, and researchers needing real-time seismic information.
• Mapas de España Mobile App Mobile application for sporting and recreational activities with maps from various sources in Spain, supporting GPS tracks and routes with offline map mode. Serves hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists.
• Mapas de España Básicos Mobile App Simple mobile application for route planning and excursions with easy-to-use map and route downloading. Serves casual outdoor users and tourists needing basic navigation tools.
• Geosapiens IGN Mobile App Interactive map mobile application for studying physical, political, and landscape geography of Spain and the world, bilingual in Spanish and English. Serves students, educators, and geography enthusiasts.
• Caminos de Santiago Mobile App Mobile application with information on main pilgrimage routes of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, including stages, points of interest, services, and hostels. Serves pilgrims, tourists, and cultural travelers.
• Parques Nacionales Mobile App Mobile application with information on Spain's National Parks covering flora, fauna, excursions, information centers, accommodations, viewpoints, history, refuges, and routes, with offline mode. Serves nature enthusiasts, tourists, and visitors to Spanish national parks.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad SosteniblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGN operates as an autonomous organism under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MITMA), which provides institutional oversight, funding, and strategic direction for the institute's national geographic, cartographic, and geophysical functions.
• Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica (CNIG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNIG serves as the geographic information publishing arm of IGN, managing the production and distribution of cartographic products, the virtual store, and coordinating the National Cartographic System infrastructure.
• Red de Organizaciones Científicas y Académicas (Red ANEXXI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of academic and research institutions collaborating with IGN on the Atlas Nacional de España (ANEXXI) project, contributing expertise and content for the comprehensive digital atlas of Spain.
• AENORminorOthersAENOR certified IGN's seismic and tsunami alert emergency management system (certificate GEM-2021-0003-RedSismicaNacional), validating the quality and reliability of IGN's critical infrastructure operations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• EuroGeographics: International not-for-profit association representing European national mapping, cadastral, and land registry authorities. IGN España is a member; the organization facilitates cross-border data harmonization and INSPIRE-aligned service delivery.

Direct peers

• United States Geological Survey (USGS): U.S. federal science agency providing impartial data on landscapes, natural resources, and natural hazards including earthquake monitoring and geological mapping. Comparable to IGN España across seismology, mapping, and authoritative national geographic data production.
• Institut national de l'information géographique et forestière (IGN France): France's national geographic and forestry information agency, with a mandate covering cartography, geodesy, forestry inventory, and dissemination of geographic data. Directly comparable to IGN España in scope, statutory role, and product portfolio (maps, geoportals, mobile apps).
• Ordnance Survey: Great Britain's national mapping agency, producing authoritative geospatial data, topographic maps, and digital mapping services for government and commercial customers. Comparable to IGN España as a national cartographic authority with strong data licensing and digital platform operations.
• Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI): Japan's national organization for surveying, mapping, and geospatial information, including earthquake and volcanic monitoring through affiliated programs. Comparable to IGN España across cartography, geodesy, and seismological monitoring mandates.
• Kartverket (Norwegian Mapping Authority): Norway's national mapping authority responsible for geodata, property registration, and spatial data infrastructure. Comparable to IGN España across cartography, geodetic reference, and SDI operations.
• Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG): Germany's federal agency for cartography and geodesy, providing geodata, geodetic reference systems, and national spatial data infrastructure. Comparable to IGN España in geodesy, cartography, and SDI coordination roles.
• Lantmäteriet (Swedish Mapping, Cadastre and Land Registration Authority): Sweden's authority for mapping, land registration, and cadastral information, providing geodata and spatial data infrastructure services. Comparable to IGN España in national cartography, geodetic services, and digital platform operations.
• swisstopo (Federal Office of Topography): Switzerland's federal office of topography, producing official maps, geological data, and geodetic reference systems. Comparable to IGN España in national topographic mapping and authoritative geospatial data provision.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) - Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation: Canadian federal agency providing geospatial data, Earth observation, and remote sensing products through the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation. Comparable to IGN España in national mapping, remote sensing (PNT equivalent), and authoritative geographic data delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IGNSpain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IGNSpain
• Facebookfacebook.com/IGNSpain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instituto-geografico-nacional-cnig-spain
• Instagraminstagram.com/ignspain
• Pinterestpinterest.es/IGNSpain

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España