Suddenly appearing on a map wasn’t always the job of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service. Established in 1889, initially known as the “Geodetic Mission”, its original mission was to create the Topographic and Cadastral Map of Greece.
Today we stand before the Hellenic Military Geographical Service. It is the mapping agency of the Hellenic Military. It supports both the Greek Army and the general public with cartographic products.
Let’s delve into its history. The “Geodetic Mission” was established by King George I. Its initial goal was compiling the “Topographic and Cadastral Map of the Country”. In 1926, the service was renamed the Hellenic Military Geographical Service. From 1966 to the 1980s, the service also housed the Armed Forces Information Service. This was Greece’s second state-run broadcaster.
The Hellenic Military Geographical Service provides various city plans. These plans come in scales of 1:5.000, 1:10.000 and 1:25.000. They are available in both Greek and Latin series.
They also produce topographic maps covering the entire country and sometimes neighboring areas. These maps come in various scales. Not all maps are available to the public. Some are confidential and require HMGS approval. The maps use the Hellenic Geodetic Reference System 1987. This system employs a Transverse Mercatorial Projection. This projects Greece in a single zone. Available scales include 1:25.000 for regions near Athens. There are approximately 385 maps at a scale of 1:50.000. About 130 maps are available at 1:100.000 scale. There are also 32 maps at 1:250.000 scale and 10 maps at 1:500.000 scale. Finally, five maps are available at 1:1.000.000 scale.
The products and services of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service are not available in the market. You can purchase them via the service’s e-shop. Alternatively, you can collect them from the offices after submitting a request form.
The Hellenic Military Geographical Service continues its vital work. It provides crucial cartographic support. It serves both military and civilian needs in Greece. Its historical significance and ongoing contributions make it a landmark of Athens. As we conclude our visit to the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, remember its role in mapping Greece.