Hellenic Military Geographical Service

The Hellenic Military Geographical Service (HMGS), known in Greek as the Geographical Service of the Army or Γεωγραφική Υπηρεσία Στρατού, is the mapping agency of the Hellenic Military. Its responsibilities center on the production, maintenance, and distribution of geographic information and cartographic material for defense, public administration, and civilian use in Greece. The institution originated in 1889 as the Geodetic Mission. Its initial mandate was to compile a national topographic and cadastral map, reflecting the importance of systematic surveying and standardized geographic information during the modernization of the Greek state. In 1926, it adopted the name Hellenic Military Geographical Service, under which it continues to operate. The service's historical role has therefore extended beyond the preparation of military maps: it has contributed to national geographic reference, topographic coverage, and public access to cartographic products. HMGS supports the Greek Army and other elements of the country's defense structure by preparing geographic products at different scales and by maintaining information needed for planning, operations, logistics, and territorial analysis. Some of its cartographic material is restricted or confidential and may be supplied only after approval. Other products are made available to the general public through the service's sales channels, including its online shop and physical offices. Its public-facing catalog includes city plans and topographic maps. City plans are available in Greek- and Latin-script series at scales including 1:5,000, 1:10,000, and 1:25,000. The reference material identifies coverage at 1:5,000 for approximately 20 Greek cities and at 1:10,000 for approximately 16 cities. HMGS also produces topographic maps covering the country at a range of scales, from detailed regional sheets to national overview mapping. The catalog includes 1:50,000, 1:100,000, 1:250,000, 1:500,000, and 1:1,000,000 products, as well as a more limited 1:25,000 series near Athens. Some mapping may also cover areas in neighboring countries. The service's cartography uses the Hellenic Geodetic Reference System 1987, commonly called HGRS87 or EGSA '87. This system provides a standardized national spatial reference based on a Transverse Mercator projection. Its use supports consistency between HMGS maps and other Greek geographic and surveying applications. From 1966 through the 1980s, HMGS also housed the Armed Forces Information Service, which operated as Greece's second state-run broadcaster alongside the National Radio Foundation. This was an additional communications role distinct from the agency's core geographic mission. In the present era, HMGS is best understood as a specialized military and public cartographic institution rather than a conventional commercial brand. Its products are distributed through official request and purchasing procedures and are not generally presented as ordinary market goods, even though selected maps are available to civilians.

The Hellenic Military Geographical Service traces its institutional origins to 1889, when it was established as the Geodetic Mission. The founding purpose was the preparation of a topographic and cadastral map of Greece. This mandate placed the organization at the intersection of national surveying, land documentation, military planning, and the development of a standardized geographic understanding of Greek territory. The organization later became known by its current name in 1926. As the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, it developed into the mapping agency of the Hellenic Military. Its work has included the preparation and supply of maps at multiple scales, supporting both military requirements and selected civilian and public-administration needs. The service's output has covered Greece broadly and has at times included areas in neighboring countries. A significant secondary role emerged during the second half of the twentieth century. From 1966 until the 1980s, the service housed the Armed Forces Information Service. That organization functioned as Greece's second state-run broadcaster, alongside the National Radio Foundation. The broadcasting role was separate from HMGS's principal geographic and cartographic mission but formed part of the institution's wider connection with state communications and information services during that period. HMGS's modern cartographic system is associated with the Hellenic Geodetic Reference System 1987, also known as HGRS87 or EGSA '87. The system uses a Transverse Mercator projection for Greece and provides a common reference framework for the service's mapping products. Its catalog includes city plans, detailed and small-scale topographic sheets, and other geographic material. The availability of individual products varies: some maps are offered to the public, while other material is confidential or restricted and requires authorization. Public access is handled through official channels rather than a conventional commercial distribution network. Maps may be ordered through the HMGS online shop or obtained from the service's offices after submission of the applicable request form. This arrangement reflects the agency's dual character as a military institution and a provider of selected public cartographic resources. Today, HMGS remains responsible for geographic support to the Greek Army while continuing to make certain maps and plans available to civilian users.

• 1980

  End of the documented broadcasting period

  [1]Hellenic Military Geographical Serviceen.wikipedia.org

  The Armed Forces Information Service's period within HMGS is documented as continuing from 1966 into the 1980s.

• 1966

  Armed Forces Information Service begins operation within HMGS

  [1]Hellenic Military Geographical Serviceen.wikipedia.org

  The service began housing the Armed Forces Information Service, which operated as a state-run broadcaster during the following decades.

• 1926

  Adoption of the current name

  [1]Hellenic Military Geographical Serviceen.wikipedia.org

  The institution adopted the name Hellenic Military Geographical Service.

• 1889

  Establishment as the Geodetic Mission

  [1]Hellenic Military Geographical Serviceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was created as the Geodetic Mission to compile a national topographic and cadastral map of Greece.

A national military mapping authority that combines defense-oriented geographic information with selected cartographic products for public and civilian use.

• Urban cartography

  City Plans

  HMGS supplies city plans in Greek- and Latin-script series at scales including 1:5,000, 1:10,000, and 1:25,000. The documented catalog includes approximately 20 cities at 1:5,000 and approximately 16 cities at 1:10,000. These plans provide detailed urban geographic reference for military, administrative, and civilian purposes.

• Topographic cartography

  Topographic Maps

  HMGS produces topographic maps at multiple scales covering Greece and, in some cases, portions of neighboring countries. Documented scales include 1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000, 1:250,000, 1:500,000, and 1:1,000,000. Availability differs by sheet and classification; some material is public while other maps require authorization.

• Geodetic reference and mapping

  HGRS87-referenced cartography

  HMGS maps use the Hellenic Geodetic Reference System 1987, or HGRS87/EGSA '87. The system provides a common spatial reference for Greek mapping and uses a Transverse Mercator projection adapted to the country's geographic extent.

1. 1Hellenic Military Geographical Serviceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hellenic Military Geographical Service official websitegys.gr