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Cartography (/ k ɑːr ˈ t ɒ ɡ r ə f i /; from Ancient Greek: χάρτης chartēs, 'papyrus, sheet of paper, map'; and γράφειν graphein, 'write') is the study and practice of making and using maps.
Traditionally, this was the primary determinant of quality cartography. It is now accepted, due largely to studies in Critical cartography, that no dataset or map is a perfect reproduction of reality, and that the subjective biases and motivations of the cartographer are virtually impossible to circumvent. That said, maps can still be crafted ...
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to cartography: Cartography (also called mapmaking) – study and practice of making and using maps or globes. Maps have traditionally been made using pen and paper, but the advent and spread of computers has revolutionized cartography.
Cartography or map-making is the study and practice of crafting representations of the Earth upon a flat surface [2] (see History of cartography), and one who makes maps is called a cartographer. Road maps are perhaps the most widely used maps today.
A cartogram (also called a value-area map or an anamorphic map, the latter common among German-speakers) is a thematic map of a set of features (countries, provinces, etc.), in which their geographic size is altered to be directly proportional to a selected variable, such as travel time, population, or gross national income. Geographic space ...
Pei is best known for his work in cartography. Although map making and use of the grid existed in China before him, [43]: 106–107 he was the first to mention a plotted geometrical grid and graduated scale displayed on the surface of maps to gain greater accuracy in the estimated distance between different locations.
A topographic map series uses a common specification that includes the range of cartographic symbols employed, as well as a standard geodetic framework that defines the map projection, coordinate system, ellipsoid and geodetic datum. Official topographic maps also adopt a national grid referencing system.
Computer cartography (also called digital cartography) is the art, science, and technology of making and using maps with a computer. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] This technology represents a paradigm shift in how maps are produced, but is still fundamentally a subset of traditional cartography.