Transcript Nature of Cartography

Nature of
Cartography
Copyright, 1998-2013 © Qiming Zhou
GEOG1150. Cartography
Nature of Cartography

Forms of representation
 Need for maps
 Basic characteristics of maps
 Purposes maps serve
 Categories of maps
 Emphasis on cartographic
representation
 The scope of cartography
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Forms of Representation

Literacy - the use of written language
 Articulacy - the use of spoken
language
 Numeracy - mathematics: a way of
symbolisation
 Graphicacy - the use of graphics

"A picture is worth of thousands of words"
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Hang Seng Index
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HSI Chart
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HSI: Analytical Chart (1)
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HSI: Analytical Chart (2)
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Spatial Imagery

Map - the graphic representation of
the geographical setting.
 Cartography is the making and study
of maps in all their aspects.
 Cartography is an efficient way of
manipulating, analysing and
expressing ideas, forms and
relationships that occur in two- and
three-dimensional space.
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Need for Maps

Reducing the spatial characteristics of
a large area and putting it in map form
to make it observable.
 A map is carefully designed
instrument for recording, calculating,
displaying, analysing and
understanding the interrelation of
things.
 Its most fundamental function is to
bring the things into view.
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Basic Characteristics of
Maps

Locations in two-dimensional space
 Attributes - qualities or magnitudes
 Examples:

Relationships among locations, e.g. Distance
 Relationships among various attributes at one
location, e.g. Temperature, rainfall and soil
 Relationships among the locations of the
attributes of a given distribution, e.g. Rainfall
 Relationships among the locations of derived
or combined attributes of given distributions,
e.g. Relation of GDP and population
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Basic Characteristics of
Maps
(Cont.)

All geographical maps are reductions.


Scale.
All maps involve geometrical
transformations.

Map projection.

All maps are abstractions of reality.
 All maps use signs to stand for
elements of reality.

Symbolism.
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Purposes Maps Serve

Store geographical information.
 Serve mobility and navigation needs.
 Analytical purposes, e.g. Measuring
and computing.
 Summarise statistical data to assist
forecasting and spotting trends.
 Visualise invisible.
 Stimulate spatial thinking.
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Categories of Maps

Classed by scale
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Classed by function
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Small-scale map
Large-scale map
General reference maps
Thematic maps
Charts
Classed by subject matter
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Emphasis on Cartographic
Representation


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The principal task of cartography is to
communicate environmental information.
The emphasis on cartographic
representation is map effectiveness in
thought and communication.
This is best achieved by treating the making
and using of maps equally.
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The Theme of Map
Effectiveness
Simplification
Selection
Symbolisation
Map
Making
Classification
Map
Effectiveness
Exaggeration
Nature of Cartography
Analysis
Map
Use
Interpretation
Reading
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Information Transformation
Census
Ground survey
Remote sensing
Compilation
Geographical
Environment
Selection
Classification
Simplification
Exaggeration
Symbolisation
Recognised
Geographical
Information
Transform 1
Nature of Cartography
Transform 2
Reading
Analysis
Interpretation
Map
MAP
Image
Transform 3
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The Scope of Cartography
Map Maker
Data
Map
Map User
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Processes in Cartography

Collecting and selecting the data for
mapping
 Manipulating and generalising the
data, designing and constructing the
map
 Reading or view the map
 Responding to or interpreting the
information
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A Cartographer Must...

Be familiar with all mapping activities
(geodesy, surveying, photogrammetry,
remote sensing and GIS); and
 Know a lot about human thought and
communication (cognitive science)
and the disciplines associated with the
environmental features being mapped.
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Geographers Are the
Primary Users of Maps
Cognitive
Sciences
Environmental
Sciences
Mapping
Sciences
MAP
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