The Imperial and Royal Military Geographical Institute (Militärgeographische Institute) (1839 - 1921) (MGI) was the mapping and surveying institute of the Austrian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was headquartered in Vienna and was the government entity responsible for the Franziszeische Landesaufnahme (Second Survey) which took place between the 1810s and the 1850s. The Franziszeische Landesaufnahme began under the Topographic-Lithographic Institute of the Imperial and Royal Quartermaster General Staff and was continued by the MGI. The MGI conducted surveys throughout Europe, including of the road from Belgrade to Constantinople and a landmark survey of Greece conducted between 1889 and 1896. The MGI also printed maps and it pioneered and refined many printing techniques, particularly during the 19th century. These included copperplate engraving, lithography, electroplating, photogravure, and photomechanical intaglio printing. Many of the MGI's maps were released for public distribution. The MGI was replaced by the Bundesvermessungsamt in 1921 after the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled following World War I.
