It is a decentralized public organization attached to the Ministry of Defence,[1] in charge of the elaboration of the official maps of the country and to support activities related to its development and defense.

With a supreme decree of May 10, 1921, President Augusto B. Leguía entrusted the direction of the SGE to French Colonel Georges Thomas, who established the bases for a "National Charter."

In 1938, a Map of Peru was published jointly with the Geographical Society of Lima, at a scale of 1:1,500,000, which was approved by President Oscar R. Benavides and contained the international borders, as well as the interior demarcation (supreme resolutions of November 12, 1934, and January 8, 1935).

[4] By Supreme Decree of October 10, 1957, the Military Geographic Institute (IGM) is authorized to carry out aerial photogrammetry work for the survey of the National Chart.

On June 13, 2000, Law 27292 of the IGN was promulgated,[2] including its organization and functions, technical directions; (Geography, GIS, Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Cartography, Reproduction; Cartographic School; Regional Directorates).