Cartography: An Introduction

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Cartography An Introduction
Geography 2017 Cartography Nipissing
UniversityWinter 2007
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Introduction

• The International Cartographic Association
  defines cartography as
• The art, science technology of making maps,
  together with the study as scientific documents
  works of art. Maps may be regarded as
  including all types of maps, plans, charts,
  sections, 3D models globes representing the
  earth or any celestial body at any scale.

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Introduction

• Cartography is about
• i) Accurate spatial information
• ii) Recording spatial information
• iii) Communicating spatial information
• Forms of Communication
• i) Spoken
• ii) Written
• iii) Mathematics
• iv) Graphics

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Introduction

• Graphic Communication
• i) Purpose
• ii) Skill of the Cartographer
• iii) Skill of the Reader
• iv) Environmental Conditions
• Maps The Primary Medium
• i) Graphic Representations
• ii) Record, Store, Communicate Spatial
  Information

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Maps

• Maps are
• i) Reductions
• ii) Models
• Four key concepts involved in maps are
• i) Scale
• ii) Transformations
• iii) Abstractions
• iv) Symbolism

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Maps

• Maps involve the three basic properties of
  spatial data
• i) Location
• ii) Attributes
• iii) Topology
• Classifications of Maps
• i) Function (Reference vs. Thematic)
• ii) Subject
• iii) Scale

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Maps

• Limitations of Maps
• i) Maps are graphic
• ii) Scale
• iii) Distortion Errors
• iv) Can only use spatial information

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Development of Maps

• Early Maps
• Geometry Reference Maps
• National Resources
• Exploration
• (e.g. fur trade in North America)

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Development of Maps

• National Censuses Resources
• e.g. after confederation, the Dominion Land
  Survey began systematically mapping of Canada,
  but by the beginning of the 20th century they
  conceded
• "It will take another 3 ½ centuries!"

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Important Advances

• i) Printing press (12-15th C)
• ii) Aerial photography (1930s)
• iii) Triangulation (1940s)
• iv) Electronic distance measuring equipment
  (1950s)
• v) Drafting reproduction techniques (1960s)

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Important Advances

• vi) Satellite Imagery (1970s)
• vii) Global Positioning Systems (1980s)
• viii) Geographic Information Systems (1980s)

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Cartographic Revolution

• Maps vs. Digital Databases
• Maps vs. Cartographic Visualizations
• Decentralization of Cartography
• i) Principles
• ii) Standards
• Information Age