CGB 213:
Principle of
Cartography -
Introduction
Contents
➢ Introduction
➢ Cartographic
processes
➢ Uses and functions of
maps
➢ Technological
changes
➢ Advantages and
limitations of maps
Introduction
➢ Cartography is the art,
science, and technology of
map-making.
➢ Maps are used as research
tools and as sources of
information.
➢ Maps have existed since the
time of the Egyptian,
Mesopotamian, and Chinese
civilizations, with the latter
maps dating back to 6000
years.
Other Definitions
Cartography is considered as the science of
preparing all types of maps and charts and
includes every operation from original survey to
final printing of maps (United Nations, 1949)
Cartography is the art, science and technology of
making maps, together with their study as scientific
documents and works of art.
Cartography is the discipline dealing with
conception, production, dissemination and study of
maps.
Why Maps
Governments, businesses, and society as large must
store large quantities of information about the
environment and the location of natural resources,
capital assets, and people.
Included as part of what could be stored as maps
are parcel data, cadastral maps to record property,
maps of society’s infrastructure of utilities for water,
power, telephone, and transportation, and census
maps of population.
Cartographic Processes
The communications model of Cartography
emphasizes that maps are used by a variety of
users.
The role of the cartographer is to understand the
subject matter of maps and how the map will be
likely used.
Map making involves three stages:
1. Collection, Organization, and manipulation of
data.
2. Design and preparation of Maps.
3. Map Reproduction.
Collection, Organization
and manipulation of data.
Data collection from existing maps, aerial
photographs or digital imagery, documents e.g.,
legal descriptions of property boundaries, historical
documents, etc., fieldwork or questionnaire surveys.
Data is organized to understand the phenomena
being represented.
Data manipulation - in a form suitable for map
making i.e., aggregating data to some specified set
of spatial units, percentages, densities, or other
summary measures.
Design and Preparation of
Maps
Many decisions go into the design of an effective
map.
These include geographic features and thematic
attributes.
The choices depend upon the map’s purpose,
the intended audience, and the cartographer’s
understanding of the phenomena being
represented.
Maps are a representation of a large area;
therefore, it is a must to choose an appropriate
map projection.
Small-scale maps are less detailed but cover a
larger area.
Map Reproduction
Map reproduction methods act as a constraint on
the map design process.
If only a few copies of maps are required, then
black and white and colour laser printing and
photocopying are ideal.
If many copies are required, then offset printing is
the only practical alternative.
Digital formats on tapes, disks, or CD-ROM is
replacing or reducing the need for printed maps.
USES OF MAPS
Using a Map involves, three
processes:
✓ Map reading
✓ Analysis
✓ Interpretation
FUNCTIONS OF MAPS
1. Navigation
2. Visualization
3. Measurement
Purposes of a
Map
To store geographic information in a spatial
format.
To serve mobility and navigation needs.
To summarise statistical data and, thereby, assist
in spatial forecasting and spotting trends.
Provides information in a simplified way.
TYPES OF MAPS
Hundreds of Maps Prepared for
Various Purposes
General vs. thematic cartography
Topographic vs. topological
Types of
maps
1) General Reference Map
Maps that show the location of several different features,
such as water bodies, coastlines, and roads, e.g., maps of
states, countries, or continents.
2) Topographic maps depict as much of the surface
features of a particular area as is possible within
limitation of scale e.g., village map.
3) Thematic or Special purpose Map:
These are maps that concentrate on the distribution of a
single attribute or relationship among several attributes.
The common factor about such is that they have a single
theme of study e.g., maps of temperature, population,
and land utilization.
MAP SYMBOLS
In cartography symbols are
everything.
Cartographic symbology has been
developed to portray the world
accurately and effectively convey
information to the map reader.
A legend explains the pictorial
language of the map, known as its
symbology.
All Maps Need:
TECHNOLOGICAL
CHANGES
In cartography, technology has
continually changed to meet the
demands of new generations of
mapmakers and map users.
The first maps were manually constructed
with brushes and parchment; therefore,
they varied in quality and were limited in
distribution.
Advances in mechanical devices such as
the printing press allowed for the mass
production of maps.
Advances in photochemical technology,
such as the lithographic and photochemical
processes, have allowed for the creation of
maps that have fine details, do not distort in
shape, and resist moisture and wear.
Advancements in electronic technology in
the 20th century ushered in another
revolution in cartography.
These days most commercial-quality maps
are made using software that falls into one of
three main types: CAD, GIS, and specialized
illustration software.
ADVANTAGES OF MAPS
Maps are more objective and more efficient
than verbal descriptions.
A map makes it simpler to visualize and
understand spatial patterns.
Maps can be useful sources of data and can
give a historical perspective.
Maps can be used to solve complex
problems.
MAP LIMITATIONS
No map is ever completely accurate or
complete.
No one map can show all features
present on the surface of the actual
area.
Good maps show the features that are
relevant and focus less on other features.
CONCLUSION
Cartography is the theory and practice of map
making and map use.
A map is a form of communication between the
map maker and the map user.
As maps are synoptic, they should be carefully
designed to ensure the information is effectively
conveyed.
Earliest known maps were hand drawn whereas
the modern-day maps are digitized using high-
end software and instruments.
