cartography It is a discipline derived from geography, whose main objective is to create and study maps through graphic representations of the globe using information represented in drawings, lines and colors.
What is cartography?
It is a compendium of elements that encompass science, evolutionary art, and technology, developed professionally by a cartographer, who is responsible for carrying out the geographic studies and analyses that enable the creation, distribution, and projection of maps to scale. This is done with the aim of providing geographic, geological, and geopolitical information.
Is characterized for the detailed study of maps that seeks to project or trace geographical areas or other celestial bodies, through which the location of a given space is intended to be known.
Over time, it has been of vital importance to maritime transport, as its use has optimized arrival times at destinations. Thanks to the dynamism of this science, technological advances have been made possible, bringing significant changes.
History
Cartography is one of the most important inventions in human history. Thanks to cartographic maps, it has been possible to carry out analyses, explain the different geological and geographical phenomena, and it has also been possible to explore the world through its paths for thousands of years.
The oldest cartographic map known to date dates from the XNUMXth century BC. The first sketches describing territories were just abstract ideas, made from what the draftsman believed or could represent.
Since ancient times, man has tried to figure out the territory on which he lives or moves, with the aim of observing and taking into account how the geographical space on which he lives is constituted, and beyond, trying in turn to decipher the scope of the dimensions of the earth through maps and plans.
The history of this science takes place long before even history itself, that is, before the documentation of stories, parchments, or other written texts that were developed in ancient times.
Cartography being a key element in the evolution of man through the centuries, which has provided him with a quantity of information regarding geographical dimensions and which in turn allows us to concretely observe the terrestrial space that surrounds us.
As the age of discoveries began and as explorers began to detect and find new regions or areas, maps became essential for tracing the routes to be followed.
It is known that in ancient times sailors benefited from the use of cartographic maps, as these allowed them to navigate with plans in the direction of specific routes toward a specific destination.
In the 1.600s, Gerardus Mercator, a renowned scientist, geographer, and mathematician, contributed to the development of a projection known as the cartographic projection, which was used to represent the shapes of the continents. He was also interested in the creation of spherical maps.
The innovation carried out by this scientist brought with it a new proposal, with which a new cartographic projection system was developed, since parallel lines of longitude were observed on his maps, which provided navigation with a new technique by allowing directions to be marked. compasses by straight lines.
It is recognized that the Greek civilization, through its interest and application regarding the study of mathematics, contributed tactical principles that helped to represent the surface of the earth in a scientific way.
They mainly contributed to the understanding and comprehension of cartography in its beginnings, figures such as Ptolemy, Eratosthenes, Herodotus and Anaximander possessed great knowledge in regards to earth sciences, as well as handling the field of geography.
Each of the aforementioned scientists has made significant contributions to cartographic science in different spheres or areas. Ptolemy, a native of Alexandria (Egypt), was the most important geographer of the 2nd century BC.
He annexed and used in his study a system of latitudes and longitudes that are recognized as novel within his scientific contribution, which was later used by other geographers of the time.
Currently, this scientist is recognized as the first to shape the world through a much more systematic study. Many of the historical records of him have been lost, but nevertheless, the work done is taken into account.
Eratosthenes of Cyrene was an astronomer, mathematician and geographer who contributed to science a precise calculation of the inclination of the Earth's axis, he was the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth, and to discover that the Earth revolved around the Sun, which later contributed to the study of the solar system popular science article. In his cartographic research he divides the land into departments.
cartography during the middle ages
In the course of the Middle Ages, cartographic techniques continued, with which the practices and methods of Ptolemy are taken into account, at this time it is important to highlight that great progress was made in trying to project and calculate the circumference of the planet earth.
China also developed mapping techniques, it should be noted, at the same time that it developed in ancient Rome. Specifically in medieval times, the country is projected with details reflected in the elaboration of maps.
Meanwhile, Indian cartography has legendary paintings, in which its traditions influenced the location of the Polar Star, as well as in the reflection and studies of other constellations.
Finally, after so many projections that tried to reflect the shape of the globe, the first map of the American continent was obtained, drawn up by the German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller, who represented the newly discovered lands of America by then.
Modernity
In this modern era, a true revolution is being observed in the field of cartography. The shift the science has taken is evident, changing its methods of production, both in relation to ancient maps and in contrast to maps produced in the present era.
Currently, the maps can be digitized and send information in real time through the GPS satellite, this allows to determine the detailed position of an object in any part of the planet, as well as to improve the study on the structure of the earth, using data provided by the equipment. This, combined with great inventions like Google Maps, has made cartographic maps more universal, and has also significantly improved their use and effectiveness.
These are some of the benefits that, through technological processes, have been granted not only to cartography as a science, but also to man through its availability at the level of precision and amplitude that technology offers us to know the extension of a geographic area. .
Evolution of Cartography
The evolution of cartography has been progressively successful in the study and development of this science, which is composed of creativity, technology, and art. It has evolved on a massive scale in many of its constituent areas.
The advances that have influenced this science over time are vast. Map creation has always been driven by technological change, which translates into a science that is constantly evolving, renewing itself, and moving toward new methods of creation.
The first cartographic maps presented problems with their durability and legibility over the years, due to the materials with which they were made, coupled with this, inadequate storage and manual handling that was given, caused the deterioration of this type. of documents.
This technique lacked specific details, sometimes very basic. This prompted science to renew the techniques used, with digitization being the best way to preserve these types of documents.
Until the second half of the 15th century, somewhat complex and specialized materials were used to create a cartographic map.
From the second half of the XNUMXth century we went from a somewhat limited cartography to a great availability of its resources. From servers, GPS, satellites, among others, which allow close manipulation of the resources offered by this innovative science. What has caused great advances in cartography today, including much more sophisticated technological instruments, helping to enhance the creation of cartographic maps.
It has been optimized through the inclusion of computerized instruments, for example, through the use of scanners, printers, along with visualization programs and image processors, which has gradually expanded map making in general.
Today, the use of satellite photography has enabled the creation of cartographic maps in a much more precise and strategic manner.
Taking into account these technological advances, they allow to innovate in different ways, since through these modern techniques it has been possible to make maps in 3D categories, which allows progress towards improving map visualization.
GPS is a satellite-based positioning system that provides location tracking and allows us to find or follow a specific route to a planned destination.
The new technologies optimize the processing of the maps, in what refers to the elaboration of the same, the work of the professionals in the area is streamlined through the effectiveness and efficiency that the use of technological resources provides.
Nowadays, satellites allow not only to receive the detailed location of an object, but also provide us with information about resources, geographic and geological phenomena, in order to improve the performance of professionals when carrying out analyzes and studies on the Earth. .
We can also explore new horizons, make more detailed maps of other celestial bodies, through various Types of Telescopes satellite launches or sending rover robots to nearby planets. These advances have made it possible to make fully detailed maps of Mars, the Moon, and Titan.
Types of Cartographic Maps
Cartography is divided into two categories:
general cartography It comprises maps that contain different characteristics, these expose references and location systems.
Thematic cartography It is specific, it includes defined objectives for a certain audience in order to obtain data about the planet and its resources through geographic information.
An example of thematic map are the maps that reflect the weather, in this case the weather maps can be used to show the displacement of hurricanes or other natural phenomena, as well as reflect the displacement of the earth.
This type of map has become extremely useful for showing the effects of climate change, such as melting ice, among other changes.
Another example of a thematic map is geological maps, these are used for the search for minerals and oil, they also reflect the conditions of the soil.
Map types are defined according to what they are intended to represent. Therefore, one of the main types of maps is known as a physical map, which represents the physical characteristics of a territory.
Topographic map
They accurately represent the visible aspects of a piece of land, such as heights, depressions, the presence of vegetation, an area, a region, a country, the world, buildings, and they also locate the phenomena in their real location. These maps tend to use colors, strokes that help represent landscapes and reliefs.
These maps are very useful for various engineers (agricultural, industrial, electrical, among others) because they allow us to identify the presence of rivers, lakes, telephone lines, power lines, among other things, for future projects.
Historical map
It is represented through certain facts, which help to better interpret history. Historical cartography is the branch in charge of the precise study of historical maps. It is known that its use began to be more frequent in the middle of the XNUMXth century.
Cartographic maps have also been used throughout history as a source of documentation, thanks to which we can find a wide variety of information from different parts of the world.
Basic Cartographic Principles
The elaboration of cartographic maps begins with a specific design process, which is elaborated by the cartographer according to the theme of the map and the purpose for which it is going to be used.
Use of symbols: symbolization is essential in the elaboration of a map, it must contain symbols that are allusive with respect to shape and color, according to the objects that are going to be represented. This modality can be very useful in the representation of urban or tourist maps.
Text: It is a characteristic of great importance in the elaboration of maps since it facilitates their understanding, this is related to the typography, which must contain specific guidelines in order to achieve an intangible map.
Scale: It is the indicator of the relationship between reality and the outlined map. There are two specific types of scales:
- Numerical scale: This is reflected in mathematical terms, such as fractions or ratios where the numerator (in this case the number 1) is the representation and the denominator (in this case the number 10.000) is the real space.
- Graphic scale: It is shown drawn through a straight line with equal segments where the relationship between the length of the representation and the actual length is reflected.
Fun facts
- In old maps, it was not often that a description was given about mathematical data, except for the scale.
- Only after the discovery of America was the first map of the continent made. Since before the knowledge of its existence, it was believed that the earth was flat.
- Mainly the cartographic maps were made in stones.
- After making maps on stones, their elaboration was done on parchment, an instrument used in the Middle Ages. It was made with animal skins, which has a durability of centuries. It owes its name to the city of Pergamon.
- The inks used were very diverse, in the black ink it was composed of black smoke mixed with rubber. Inks made up of copper metal also used to be prepared.
- Other forms of ink were made of gold and silver, and the existence of other colors such as violet, brown, blue and yellow.
- In September 1877, Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli published the first detailed map of Mars, discovering features he called "canals." Years later, it would be shown that these were merely optical illusions.
- The oldest (known) maps are not of the Earth, but of the stars. They were made in caves with natural paint or with visual objects representing points in the sky.
Importance of cartography
From ancient times to the present day, the creation, projection, and development of cartographic maps has provided a multitude of benefits of utmost importance in human history. Cartography is a science that seeks to trace the geographic components of a planet whose expanse has been studied and examined in every possible way by numerous scientists and scholars of science, geography, and astrology.
Scientists who, since ancient times, have offered contributions that are taken into account to this day. In the present article we develop in historical terms some of the theories dawned by characters of antiquity.
Cartography as a science has brought significant benefits to humanity. The ease with which new technologies are made available makes the resources of this science accessible to everyone. You can learn more about the history of GPS.
The innovation presents the most agile way to observe maps of different types or characters; geographically, a certain land area can be studied, only by participating in a very beneficial virtual reality. Knowing the different types of maps human geography can be very useful, see more information at What is a physical map?.
It is a science endowed with great creativity and a determination to innovate and go far beyond expectations. Its advances are increasingly evolving, as new criteria are developed hand in hand with new technologies.
Cartography and its advances ultimately bring humanity into a supreme stage of technological revolution. It's magnificent to travel through the observation of a map thanks to the innovative insights offered by new advances in science and technology.
This has made it possible for anyone (regardless of their location) to navigate the world virtually by simply accessing a computer or Google Maps on their cell phone.
