Map Conception

How to Produce Well Conceived Maps

Cartography is a communicative system in which the cartographer extracts spatial information from the 'real world' and creates a well-defined message that is embodied in the graphical design of the map.

Over the last 35 years, Cartography has known major technological change, evolving from a discipline based on pen and ink to one based on computer technology. One consequence of this technological change is that map production is no longer the sole province of trained cartographers. This is sometimes very problematic, as there is no guarantee that the resulting maps will be well designed and accurate. Consequently, some essential elements of map conception are often forgotten by such new and"naive" mapmakers. So, in this unit, for which you do not need any prerequisites, you will learn step by step how to build up a map in a correct way.