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The science or practice of drawing maps.
synonyms:mapmakinggeography
The word 'cartography' comes from the French 'carte' meaning 'map' and the Greek 'grapho' meaning 'to write'. It has been used since the 19th century to describe the art and science of map-making.
Cartography is primarily used in geographic and scientific contexts, but it also finds relevance in everyday navigation and travel.
While commonly used in educational and professional fields, the average person may not use it daily.
Cartography has evolved significantly with the advent of digital mapping technologies.
The cartography of the ancient world was often based on the limited knowledge and exploration of its time.
In geography class, we learned about the principles of cartography and how to interpret different types of maps.
Cartography is a fascinating blend of art and science that has been crucial to human exploration and understanding of the world. Originating from the French and Greek languages, it captures both the essence of maps and the practice of creating them. From ancient scrolls to modern GPS applications, cartography has transformed how we navigate and perceive our surroundings. It serves not only as a tool for orientation but also as a canvas for storytelling, reflecting cultural and historical narratives through the maps we create.