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IGN Maps download step-by-step

StuartM

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances (2012)
Hi,

I mentioned in another thread that you can download IGN 1:50000 maps from their website which are good for navigation. I've been asked how you actually do it and I know it is a fairly confusing website especially if you don't speak Spanish so here is a little step-by-step of how to do it that may be of use to some:

1. First off, you need to know which map sheets you actually need. Do this by downloading the whole map of Spain which divides the peninsula up into numbered grid squares. Just make a list of the sheets you need using this map. It can be found here: http://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/equipamiento/cuadricula_MTN50.png

2. Now that you have your list you need an IGN account. Sign up here: http://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/registro.do

3. Go to the downloads page (and log in if you need to): http://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/cambiarMenu.do?destino=presentacion

4. Click on the second download option:

5. Next it will ask you to select a product (Seleccione Producto). In the list scroll down to "MTN50 raster" and pick that.

6. In the end box (Seleccione Hoja del MTN50) type the sheet number you want. If you want to be exact then type the sheet number in a four digit format: for example, sheet 29 would be typed as 0029.

7. Click "Buscar"

8. On the next page you will be presented with a list of results. You want the one that says *.zip in the file title and is listed as a TIFF file. You don't want the XML data or shape files or any other options.

9. Click on the little icon at the end that looks like a tiny sheet of paper (underneath where it says "Descargar"). This displays the licence agreement in Spanish. At the bottom of the page click the button that reads: He leído y acepto la licencia

10. This takes you to a page which asks what you want the mapping for. You don't have to fill this out, just scroll to the bottom and click the button reading: No enviar y continuar con la descarga

11. Nearly there! Click on the button which says: pulse aqui para iniciar la descarga. There is a bit of a delay while the download is prepared but after a moment or two a ZIP file should start to download.

12. Open the ZIP in Winzip or Winrar or something. There are lots of files in the ZIP, the important files you need are the TIFF files (the sheet may be split into two files) and the JPG titled LeyendaMTN50 which is a key to the map symbols.

It is a bit of long winded process if you need a lot of maps but if you just need a few sheets it isn't that painful. You can then use these files in an image editor and cut them down to just the bits you need, join them together, print, etc. Or you could import them into something like Fugawi and upload on to a navigator (that may violate the licence terms, not sure, my Spanish isn't good enough for legalese).

An easier method I found was to use the Sigpac website, do some screen prints, open in an image editor and print from there: http://sigpac.mapa.es/fega/visor/

Anyhow, hope that helps.
 
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