Introduction to Cartography

Nazrulo ToirbekovAssistant lecturer TSPU, labnazar@gmail.com

Hungary, 2012

A ‘warming up’ exercise• How do you tell people directions to somewhere?How do you tell people directions to somewhere?

– --Have you ever used the terms ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’ or ‘west’ to Have you ever used the terms ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’ or ‘west’ to describe directions?describe directions?

– --Do you use reference locations? For example, It is two blocks Do you use reference locations? For example, It is two blocks from the E-5? Or, It will be right in front of you when you get off from the E-5? Or, It will be right in front of you when you get off the bus. It is right on the the bus. It is right on the bank of Duna or ...bank of Duna or .....

– --Describe to someone how you would get to Describe to someone how you would get to University of West University of West HungaryHungary from from the the AirportAirport or from train station or from train station

• Have you ever drawn a map to illustrate to someone how Have you ever drawn a map to illustrate to someone how to get somewhere? to get somewhere?

• Everyone is an amateur cartographerEveryone is an amateur cartographer• However, this class will help you However, this class will help you to start learning in to start learning in

detailsdetails.

Objectives

Students will be able to express their knowledge about maps

Students will understand the importance of maps Students will apply the use of new vocabulary in

order to read a map Students will analyze their own personal

surroundings

Key words

Cartography Map Personal surroundings Directions Geographic information Scale

Outlines

• Introduction• History of cartography• Maps & their classification• Mapping tools (equipments)• Cartography today and tomorrow• Conclusion

Introduction

•Maps are important for daily lives.

•It is never too late to learn how to use a map so that you can always find

your way.

Definitions

•Cartography (from Greek  khartēs, "map"; and  graphein, "write"), or mapmaking, has been an integral part of the human story for a long time, possibly up to 8,000 years. •Cartography is the science and study of making mapsSource -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cartography

Why cartography is important?• To communicate geographic information in

a graphic form as a digital image or a paper map (analog)

• To position the surroundings, location and ect.

• Graphics better than description —’A picture tells a thousand words’.

• «Map is the second language of geography»-N.Baranski

History of cartography Evaluation of Cartographical Experience Worksheet

In your best words, describe what a map means to you.

Name different types of maps you may come across.

What is a key used for? A legend? A compass?

Why are maps important?

Who designs maps? How do you think this is done?

100 A.D. – geometry1200 – Dark Ages1300 – Renaissance1680 – Enlightenment1800s – Place => Space1950+ -- Systems Approach

1.Source: www.maphistory.info/2.History of cartography volume 1&2

Early maps

Modern maps

Types and classification of mapsClassed by Scale

Small scaleMedium scaleLarge scale

Classed by FunctionGeneral reference mapsThematic/special purpose mapsCharts

Classed by Subject MatterCadastral mapsPlansSoil, vegetation, precipitation, etc

Map making processMapping involves information transformations:• Data collection• Selection• Classification• Simplification (упрощение)• Exaggeration (преувеличение)• Symbolization• Use of map

The cartographer's task - explore the ramifications of each mapping possibility and choose the most appropriate for the intended task. Who is your audience?

Basic characteristics of all maps:

• Location• Attribution (приписывание)• Reduction of reality• Scale• Geometrical transformation/projection• Abstractions of reality

Mapping tools

Mapping in the western world has undergone six major technological revolution:

• Manual• Magnetic (compass -12th century)• Mechanical (Mechanical Printing Press-16th century)

• Optical (telescope 17th century)• Photochemical (Photography-19th century)

• Electronics (computers, GPS, GIS, 1950-present)

Mapping tools (cont...)

Cartography now

• Digital databases are replacing the printed map as a means of storage of geographic information

• Intergrated with spatial technologies (i.e.,Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems) and intergral part of Geographic Information Science (the science of the definition, use,analysis/interpretation of geographic information)

Cartography tomorrow

• Maps will not dissapear but will be transformed• Maps will still be present in the medium of

communication• Increasing intergration of spatial technologies• Cartographic principles will aid as a guide for

these developing spatial technologies

Summary

• Cartography is both an art and a science• It is a very robust sub-discipline of Geography

which is rich and dynamic• The cartographic introduction we learned in this

class will be directly useful in such classes as GIS and Remote Sensing

• These principles will be important in other classes as you may have to understand maps or construct them for assignments or projects

EvaluationEvaluation of Cartographical Experience Worksheet

In your best words, describe what a map means to you.

Name different types of maps you may come across.

What is a compass used for? A legend?

Why are maps important?

Who designs maps? How do you think this is done?

ReferenceHistory of Cartography volume 1 & 2.Cartography in prehistoric, ancient, and medieval Europe

and the Mediterranean-Edited by J. B. Harley and David Woodward

Web. Links: en.wikipedia.org/.../History_of_cartography www.maphistory.info/ academic.emporia.edu/.../h_map.htm

HomeworkOur next class would be:

Map Projections and Map Scale

Please review some books and sources on that.

THE END