The Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales preserves more than 11 million specimens distributed throughout 20 Natural History collections. These collections encompass the fields of Zoology, Geology and Palaeontology, as well as some human productions. The founding of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales took place in 1771, but its collections originated from a previous institution, The Royal House of Geography of the Court and Cabinet of Natural History founded in 1752 by King Ferdinand VI.The collections flourished during 250 years, from scientific expeditions carried out across all continents, the contributions of the Royalty, the purchase and donation of collections of other researchers, and the research activity carried out in the Museum itself. At present, the collections of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales show the current trend of growth within the consortia and networks of museums that are being formed to build One Natural History collection in the world working towards a digital network.