Copyright, 1998-2013 Qiming Zhou GEOG1150.

Cartography
Nature of
Cartography
Nature of Cartography 2
Forms of representation
Need for maps
Basic characteristics of maps
Purposes maps serve
Categories of maps
Emphasis on cartographic
representation
The scope of cartography
Nature of Cartography
Nature of Cartography 3
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"
Nature of Cartography 4
Hang Seng Index
Nature of Cartography 5
HSI Chart
Nature of Cartography 6
HSI: Analytical Chart (1)
Nature of Cartography 7
HSI: Analytical Chart (2)
Nature of Cartography 8
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.
Nature of Cartography 9
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.
Nature of Cartography 10
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
Nature of Cartography 11
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.

Nature of Cartography 12
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.
Nature of Cartography 13
Categories of Maps
Classed by scale
Small-scale map
Large-scale map
Classed by function
General reference maps
Thematic maps
Charts
Classed by subject matter
Nature of Cartography 14
Emphasis on Cartographic
Representation
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.
Nature of Cartography 15
The Theme of Map
Effectiveness
Map
Effectiveness
Map
Making
Map
Use
Symbolisation Simplification
Selection
Classification Exaggeration
Analysis
Interpretation
Reading
Nature of Cartography 16
Information Transformation
Geographical
Environment
Recognised
Geographical
Information
MAP
Map
Image
Census
Ground survey
Remote sensing
Compilation
Selection
Classification
Simplification
Exaggeration
Symbolisation
Reading
Analysis
Interpretation
Transform 1 Transform 2 Transform 3
Nature of Cartography 17
The Scope of Cartography
Map Maker
Map User
Data Map
Nature of Cartography 18
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
Nature of Cartography 19
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.
Nature of Cartography 20
Geographers Are the
Primary Users of Maps
Environmental
Sciences
Cognitive
Sciences
Mapping
Sciences
MAP