Introduction to CartographyGEOG 2016 E

Lecture-1Introduction and Overview

Basics

• We all tell people directions to somewhere.– For example, we use the terms as two blocks south of

the Parker building.– Or about 100 meters north-west of the New Sudbury

Center.• Sometimes we sketch a map to illustrate the

directions.• In this respect, everyone is an amateur

cartographer.• However the science of cartography is much more

than drawing maps for directions.

Importance of Cartography

• In cartography we represent geographic information in digital or analog forms.– Digital: on computer– Analog: on paper

• The question is, why do we want to represent geographic information?

• Why do we want to represent this information graphically?

Geographic Information

• What kind of geographic information we wish to represent on a map?– Any information that is useful• Location – longitude, latitude• Elevation• Attributes

• What are attributes?• Vegetation• Mineral resources• Structures etc. etc.

Map of Sudbury

Modern Trends in Cartography

• The new trend is to move away from printed maps.

• Geographic information is now preferably stored in computer databases.

• This is highly advantageous since it allows:– Manipulation and analysis of spatial data– Develop remote sensing and GPS tracking systems– Develop Geographic Information Systems– Develop more visually informative maps

History of Cartography

• History of cartography is fairly old – First recorded maps were of stars (ca. 4000 BCE)

• Babylonian civilization is known for its excellence in mathematics and astronomy

• They created world maps in as early as 6th Century BCE

Eratosthenes

• Greek mathematician, astronomer, geographer (276 BC – 195 BC)

• Is considered the father of modern cartography

• First person to use the word “geography”• First person to calculate the circumference of

the earth• Introduced the idea of meridians and parallels

Map by Eratosthenes

Claudius Ptolemy

• Roman mathematician, astronomer and geographer (AD 90 – AD 168)

• Wrote Geographica – a compilation of world geography as it was known during his time

• Drew maps on coordinates based on latitude and longitude

• Also used lists and captions to describe map attributes

Map by Ptolemy

Maps in Other Cultures

• Maps can be found in all ancient cultures• For example, China’s Han Dynasty in around

200 BCE created maps that had scales and directions

• Islamic geographers, such as al-Khwarizmi and Al-Idrisi wrote books and drew maps

• Al-Khwarizmi revised Ptolemy’s geography

Ancient Chinese Map

Map by Al-Idrisi