Cartography and the others – aspects of a complicated relationship. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kainz, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Geo-spatial information science. Volume 23:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Cartography -- GIS -- geodesy -- photogrammetry -- remote sensing; Geographic information systems -- Periodicals; Cartography -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Surveying -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; 526.0285
• DOI: 10.1080/10095020.2020.1718000
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1009-5020

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cartographic visualizations have been known for thousands of years and have brought forth a wealth of different map projections and cartographic products. Yet, cartography as an independent science has been established only about 100 years ago and sometimes its position among the spatial disciplines is challenged by the scientific community. In this respect it is a young science based on a very long tradition of map making, globe production, and the development of map projections. Maps and map related visualizations play an important and indispensable role in many other spatial disciplines such as geography and geodesy. Cartography has many overlaps with these traditional disciplines as well as with the more recent ones of photogrammetry and remote sensing. This paper reviews fundamental aspects of the conception of space and time throughout human history, the historic development of cartography from a technique of map making to a spatial science, highlighting major milestones in the history of the discipline. As a young science and confronted with major technological developments in the late 20 th century cartography underwent several crises as to what exactly is cartography and how it relates to other spatial sciences, in particular to geographic information systems. Major pitfalls and misconceptions are discussed and the three major scientific pillars of cartography are identified. The relationships of cartography with neighboring disciplines are discussed and the position of cartography vis a vis the others is delineated. Finally, desirable future developments of scientific cartography are discussed.