1. Introduction to Cartography GEOG 2016 E
Lecture-1
Introduction and Overview

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. Map of Sudbury

6. 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

7. History of Cartography
History of cartography is fairly old
First recorded maps were of stars (ca BCE)
Babylonian civilization is known for its excellence in mathematics and astronomy
They created world maps in as early as 6th Century BCE

8. 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

9. Map by Eratosthenes

10. 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

11. Map by Ptolemy

12. 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

13. Ancient Chinese Map

14. Map by Al-Idrisi