Cartography

Cartographers traditionally obtained their information from navigators and surveyors. Explorations that expanded the geographical awareness of a map-making culture also resulted in increasingly sophisticated and accurate maps. Today, cartographers incorporate information from aerial photographs and satellite images in the maps they create.

Modern cartographers face three major design challenges when creating a map. First, they must figure out how to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions. Second, cartographers must represent geographic relationships at a reduced size while maintaining their proportional relationships. Third, they must select which pieces of information will be included in the map and develop a system of generalization that will make the information presented by the map useful and accessible to its readers. This includes the development of symbols that will effectively convey the subject of the map.