International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

Cartography is the visual representation and communication of data, geospatial information, and relationships in the form of printed and digital maps. The form of the map and the visual systems of map-making are determined by technologies of production and reproduction. The mass reproduction of maps has encouraged the dissemination of geospatial information, statistical data, and shared cultural and scientific understandings throughout history (→ Statistics, Descriptive).Maps as historical documents provide evidence of worldviews, cultural values, relationships, and representational practices at specific moments in time. Cartographic history encompasses the changing forms of the map as artifact. Ptolemy's Geographia (2nd century ad), for example, records ancient Greek geographical concepts, and established conventions for representing geographic concepts including latitude, longitude, and north orientation. Mercator's (1569) projection became a well-understood way to translate the globe to a two-dimensional chart (Harley & Woodward 1987).Design processes for mapping data include reduction/simplification, scaling, projection (converting three-dimensional data into two-dimensional representations), symbolization (→ Symbolism), assemblage, and execution. These require systems of graphic and geographic conventions, including design elements and symbols (points, lines, areas, text, ... log in or subscribe to read full text