The Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina (IHM; literally "Hydrographic Institute of the Navy") is a Spanish institution with responsibilities in the fields of hydrography, geodesy and photogrammetry, cartography, navigation and oceanography.

[1] The IHM was created via 30 December 1943 Law published on 1 January 1940, establishing it as a military body depending on the General Staff of the Navy [es].

[2] Fernando Balén García was appointed as first director of the IHM on 1 July 1944, serving for 22 years at the post.

[3][4] Via a 1970 decree, the IHM was entrusted with ensuring the safety of navigation, obtaining and disseminating information on the sea and coastline, and contributing to the progress of nautical science.

[6] The IHM is the Spanish representative at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).