The International Hydrogeological Map of Europe, scale 1 : 1,500,000 is a series of general hydrogeological maps comprising 25 map sheets with explanatory notes, covering the whole European continent and parts of the Near East. The national contributions to this map series were compiled by hydrogeologists and experts in related sciences of the countries concerned under the auspices of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), Commission on Hydrogeological Maps (COHYM). The project is supported by the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW). The scientific editorial work is supported financially by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR) and by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These organizations are responsible for the cartography, printing and publication of the map sheets and explanatory notes. The series of hydrogeological maps seeks to represent the hydrogeological setting of Europe as a whole without regard to political boundaries. Together with the information presented in the accompanying explanatory notes, the map can be used for scientific purposes, for large-scale regional planning and as a basis for detailed hydrogeological mapping.