# National Geographic Institute

> Belgian scientific institution

**Wikidata**: [Q925456](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q925456)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geographic_Institute_(Belgium))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/national-geographic-institute

## Summary
The National Geographic Institute (NGI) is a Belgian scientific institution primarily engaged in research, particularly in cartography and geographic data. Founded in 1976, it serves as a national mapping agency and is part of Belgium's federal services, focusing on geospatial information and related fields.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1976-06-08
- **Headquarters**: City of Brussels, Belgium
- **Legal Form**: Other federal services
- **Primary Purpose**: Research, specifically in cartography and geographic data
- **Employees**: 163 (as of 2022-01-01)
- **Member Organizations**: EuroGeographics, European Spatial Data Research
- **Official Names**: Nationaal Geografisch Instituut, Institut Géographique National, Nationales Geographisches Institut
- **Aliases**: NGI, NGIGN, IGN, Institut Géo National, IGNB, 比利時國家地理研究所
- **Field of Work**: Cartography
- **Product**: Maps

## FAQs
### Q: What is the National Geographic Institute (NGI)?
A: The National Geographic Institute (NGI) is a Belgian scientific institution primarily engaged in research, particularly in cartography and geographic data. It was founded in 1976 and serves as a national mapping agency under Belgium's federal services.

### Q: Where is the NGI located?
A: The NGI is located in the City of Brussels, Belgium, at Avenue de Cortenbergh - Kortenberglaan, 115, with a postal code of 1000.

### Q: What is the NGI's primary focus?
A: The NGI's primary focus is research, particularly in cartography and geographic data. It serves as a national mapping agency and produces maps.

### Q: How many employees does the NGI have?
A: As of 2022-01-01, the NGI has 163 employees.

### Q: What organizations is the NGI a member of?
A: The NGI is a member of EuroGeographics and European Spatial Data Research.

## Why It Matters
The National Geographic Institute (NGI) plays a crucial role in Belgium's geospatial data management and research. As a national mapping agency, it ensures accurate and up-to-date geographic information is available for various applications, including urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development. By producing high-quality maps and contributing to international organizations like EuroGeographics, the NGI supports both national and international efforts in geospatial research and data sharing. Its work is essential for maintaining Belgium's spatial data infrastructure and contributing to broader geographic knowledge.

## Notable For
- **National Mapping Agency**: The NGI serves as Belgium's official national mapping agency, ensuring accurate and comprehensive geographic data.
- **Research Institute**: It is classified as a research institute, focusing on cartography and geographic data.
- **Federal Service**: The NGI operates under Belgium's federal services, indicating its importance in the country's administrative structure.
- **International Membership**: It is a member of EuroGeographics and European Spatial Data Research, highlighting its role in global geospatial research.
- **Map Production**: The NGI produces maps, which are essential for various applications in Belgium and beyond.

## Body
### Overview
The National Geographic Institute (NGI) is a Belgian scientific institution established in 1976. It is primarily engaged in research, particularly in cartography and geographic data, and serves as a national mapping agency. The NGI is part of Belgium's federal services and operates under the legal form of "Other federal services."

### Location and Contact
The NGI is headquartered in the City of Brussels, Belgium, at Avenue de Cortenbergh - Kortenberglaan, 115, with a postal code of 1000. For contact, the NGI provides a phone number (+32-2-629-82-82) and a fax number (+32-2-629-82-83). The institute also maintains an active presence on social media, including Twitter (@NGIGN_BeGeo), Facebook (NGIIGN), and YouTube (ngign_begeo).

### Organization and Membership
The NGI is a member of EuroGeographics and European Spatial Data Research, indicating its involvement in international geospatial research and data sharing. It is also part of the public interest organizations and archives, further emphasizing its role in preserving and disseminating geographic information.

### Official Names and Aliases
The NGI operates under several official names, including Nationaal Geografisch Instituut (Dutch), Institut Géographique National (French), and Nationales Geographisches Institut (German). It is also known by various aliases, such as NGI, NGIGN, IGN, Institut Géo National, IGNB, and 比利時國家地理研究所.

### Research and Products
The NGI's primary field of work is cartography, and it produces maps as part of its research and data dissemination efforts. The institute's work is essential for various applications, including urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development.

### Employee Count
As of 2022-01-01, the NGI has 163 employees, reflecting its operational scale and capacity for research and data management.

### Legal and Administrative Details
The NGI's legal form is classified as "Other federal services," indicating its status as a federal institution within Belgium's administrative structure. It is also associated with the position held by the Minister of Defence of Belgium, highlighting its role in national defense and security-related geographic data.

### Digital Presence
The NGI maintains a website (www.ngi.be) in both Dutch and French, providing information about its services, research, and contact details. The institute also has a FAQ page (www.ngi.be/website/faq/) and a contact page (www.ngi.be/website/contact/) available in both languages.

### International Recognition
The NGI is recognized internationally through its membership in EuroGeographics and European Spatial Data Research, as well as its participation in various academic and research networks. It is also listed on platforms like Govdirectory, further establishing its credibility and relevance in the field of geospatial research.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://eurogeographics.org/member/national-geographic-institute-belgium/)
3. [Source](http://www.eurosdr.net/members/members)
4. [Crossroad Bank of Enterprises](http://kbopub.economie.fgov.be/kbopub/zoeknummerform.html?nummer=0216.755.012)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://eurogeographics.org/our-members/)
7. [Over het NGI](https://www.ngi.be/website/over-ngi/#title-2)
8. [Jobs](https://www.ngi.be/website/jobs/)
9. [Contact](https://www.ngi.be/website/contact/)
10. Crossroad Bank of Enterprises
11. [Source](https://www.govdirectory.org/belgium/)
12. YouTube API