BASICS OF CARTOGRAPHY

-PRINCIPLES AND IMPORTANCE

-MAJOR THEMES
-TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES IN CARTOGRAPHY
Dr. Riffat Mahmood
MSc (DU); PhD (CAS)
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, Jagannath
University
PRINCIPLES OF CARTOGRAPHY
According to the Principles of Cartography by David Archer, the principles of
cartography include the following:

• Thematic Accuracy: To ensure that the map is appropriate for its purpose
and that it includes up-to-date information.
• Logical Simplicity: To ensure that the map is simple to understand and use.
• Visual Appeal: To ensure that a map looks visually pleasing and
professional, which will encourage its use by others.
• Principles of Good Design: To ensure that a map is pleasing to the eye and
that it is accurate and legible.
• Educational Objectives: To ensure that maps are used effectively as part of
teaching programs.
 IMPORTANCE OF CARTOGRAPHY
• Cartography is beneficial because it promotes data visualization in
space. This can show population trends, economic growth, and
urbanization, among other things.
• Cartography finds its use in disaster planning and recovery, and it
allows emergency responders to examine what is going on in the area
where they are working.
• Also, GPS and maps are easily available on mobile phones and other
devices. People use maps every day as they travel, identify restaurants
and shops, and follow their online transactions as they arrive. The
importance of cartography is growing, and it is becoming increasingly
ingrained in our daily lives.
 CARTOGRAPHY VS GIS
• The knowledge and skills employed in making maps are similar between
cartography and GIS. The difference between GIS and cartography is
that while both deal with geographic information they do so in different
ways.
• With GIS, an organization may collect multiple data sources that are
related to it, and use software to record, store and manipulate this data
for future use. On the other hand, cartography prescribes a different
process of collecting information. In this process, an individual or
organization will collect data through geographical reference and
cartographic tools from a particular location situated in the area where
the location lies.
 CARTOGRAPHY VS GIS: SIMILARITIES
• Both deal with geographic data
• Both involve the operations of map making
• Both involve the study and application of cartography, map making,
and Geographic Information Science.
• They involve many skills common to both professions (e.g., accuracy,
visual perception, imagination, creativity).
 CARTOGRAPHY VS GIS: DISSIMILARITIES
• While GIS is more applied than cartography both are applied sciences
that deal with geographical information.
• Cartography is more concerned with printed maps while GIS has wider
applications in the sphere of digital data.
• Cartography deals with geography on a small scale whereas GIS is
concerned with the larger world.
• Cartographers may use practical drawings, writing, or maps for their work
whereas GIS is mainly used to record and store information such as
photographs, satellite images, etc.
• A cartographer may use satellite images as a source for information
when developing maps and reports, while GIS are dependent on them.
TRADITIONAL VS MODERN CARTOGRAPHY
• Traditional cartography refers to the methods used in map-making before the
19th century. Maps were not accurate and many of them contained errors.
Relief was distorted and borders were often poorly defined. Maps were often
drawn by hand, based on the geography of the area being mapped and, on
the information, provided by explorers who travelled to that area.
• Modern cartography was made possible by advances in technology such as
aerial photography, advanced mathematics, and computers that helped to
draw improved maps which involved precise measurements and accuracy.
Also, new data collection techniques were discovered which used satellite
images to capture information. The modern cartographer uses geographic
information systems (GIS) to capture and store geographical data. The process
of map-making has become much easier with the use of GIS programs like
ArcView, AutoCAD, Google Earth, and OpenStreetMap.
• As with traditional cartography, many of the tools used in modern cartography
are similar to those used in GIS. However, modern maps also involve aesthetic
elements such as coloring and shading.
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES USED IN
CARTOGRAPHY
The Cartography Tools Of Our Past
While early maps were far from reliable – Anaximander’s map, for instance, depicted the
world as a cylinder with the inhabited world situated on top – they grew increasingly
accurate as time went on. This was in large part due to the invention and advancement of
cartography tools.
Compass
-These cartography tools contain a magnetized needle that rotates so the ends point to the
north and south.
-Ancient Greek and Chinese scientists understood the principles of magnetism. 1st-century
Chinese scientists likely even knew that rubbing a piece of metal against a lodestone (a
natural magnet) would temporarily magnetize the metal.
-Early compasses were primarily used as backup when the stars, sun, or other landmarks
could not be seen, but as they became more reliable, their main purpose shifted to
navigation. Most historians believe this shift first occurred in 11th or 12th century China, but
shortly after (at the close of the 12th century), Western Europeans began using the compass
for navigation as well.
Telescope
-Dutch eyeglass-maker Hans Lippershey was the first to apply for a patent for his invention,
which he called a kijker (“looker”).
-According to Lippershey, this telescope could successfully magnify up to three times.
However, many claim Lippershey stole the idea from another glass worker from the same
town, Zacharias Jansen.
-And a few weeks later, yet another Dutchman by the name of Jacob Metius filed a
patent for his telescope as well. (Both patents were ultimately rejected because the
designs were believed to be too easy to reproduce.)
Sextant
-First produced by London’s John Bird in 1757, the sextant is one of the most influential
cartography tools in history.
-Sextants measure the angle between two objects using a pair of mirrors and a movable
arm, and they do so with impressive accuracy; sextants can measure an angle to the
nearest ten seconds (1/360th of a degree).
-Originally, sextants were used to find longitude by measuring the angular distance
between the moon and a nearby star, but they can also be used to find the angle
between two earthly objects, making sextants a key instrument for triangulation.
Modern Cartography Tools
Mapmaking can employ a huge variety of methods and tools. Here we'll cover a
few of the most common tools: aerial photography, sensors, GPS, satellites, and
GIS.
Aerial Photography
-Early attempts at aerial photography included balloons, kites, and even rockets.
-In 1860, the oldest surviving aerial photograph was taken by James Wallace
Black, tethered in a hot air balloon 2,000ft above Boston.
-Modern aerial photography now relies on advanced technology like helicopters
and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - known as drones.
-Able to reach impressive heights and controlled by hand-held remote, drones
are fantastic tool for aerial photography. Especially for GIS mapping, large-scale,
consistent visual records make surveying and change detection a breeze.
-Though drones are still expensive, the barrier to entry is low enough that
organizations and even most individuals can participate.
Sensors
-Sensors detect events, changes, and physical characteristics of a given
area by transforming stimuli (sound, light, heat, or motion) into electrical
signals.
-Those signals are collected and then transmitted to another device,
usually a computer. Put simply, sensors collect data about the Earth's
surface.
-Examples of sensors include:
Seisometers: Measure ground motion
LIDAR: 3D laser-based aerial mapping
Sonar: Detecting objects under water through sound propagation.
In terms of modern cartography, sensors contribute to the design and
creation of detailed, high-fidelity maps.
GPS
-The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a series of over 24 satellites that
orbit Earth regularly, each transmitting a unique signal.
-GPS receivers intercept those signals and perform trilateration (distance
based measurement between various points): enabling a highly
accurate system of navigation.
-Primarily used for navigation in aircrafts, cars, boats, and mobile phones,
GPS is also the primary tool for land surveying.
Satellites
-Satellites serve a variety of purposes — from spying on foreign
adversaries, to tracking weather and improving cell service, or as
mentioned above - enabling the GPS network.
-In terms of map making, satellites enable consistent, large-scale updates
of Earth’s surface.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
-Sensors, GPS, and satellites are methods
through which to collect data. These devices
are quite advanced. However, as a general
rule they lack the ability to display, organize,
and manage the data they collect.
-GIS provides the ideal solution. GIS is location-
based software used to view, organize,
visualize, and analyze geospatial data.
-GIS helps users wrangle their data, enabling a
better understanding of positionally based
patterns and relationships.These programs are
most often desktop based and require local
installation.
-In the last decade, cloud GIS systems have
started to become more prevalent. Cloud GIS
systems don’t offer the same level of deep
scientific analysis; however, they are
significantly more mobile friendly - enabling
users to take GIS with them wherever they go.
 APPLICATION OF MODERN
CARTOGRAPHY/CARTOGRAPHIC TOOL
Modern cartography goes far beyond simply finding your location on a
map. Location intelligence, 3D modeling, and real-time map creation are
all based in the application of modern cartographic tools.
Location Intelligence
-Location intelligence, also known as spatial intelligence, helps users derive
insights and discover meaningful relationships within geospatial data.
-Location intelligence emerged from the foundation of GIS, and is used to
help organizations and corporations understand positional data.
-Practical applications for location intelligence include risk assessment,
delivery optimization, price configuration, and strategy development for
acquisition or expansion.
3D Modeling
-LiDAR, one of the modern cartography tools mentioned above, is integral to
creating 3D maps and models. LiDAR relies on laser light to measure distance.
-A laser pulse is released, travels outward, hits an object, and then bounces
back. Similar to sonar, distance is measured by how long the pulses take to
return.
-Because light travels incredibly fast and in all directions simultaneously, LiDAR
scans produce point clouds.
Real-time Map Making
-Cloud technology has enabled mapping in real time.
-In contrast to locally installed software, cloud-based GIS platforms can be
accessed via any web browser. This means any device connected to the
internet can be used to view and interact with a given program.
-Real-time digital mapping enables an incredible amount of activities - from
tracking utility inspections, to watching as your Uber driver approaches the pick-
up spot.
RECAP
• Briefly discuss the tools and techniques used in past and
modern cartography
• What is the Principles and importance of Cartography
• Discuss the application of modern cartography.
• Short Notes: Cartography vs GIS; Traditional vs Modern
Cartography