cartography
Science of maps
Cartography is the science and art of making maps.
The term covers everything from ancient hand-drawn charts to modern satellite-based mapping systems.
A cartographer studies geography, surveys terrain, and represents spatial relationships on paper or screen.
The cartography of the region was unreliable until aerial photography became available.
Something that extends outward
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- contourBounding line of shape
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- symbologyStudy of symbols
graticule · grid · datum · coordinates · topography · surveying · drafting · atlas
Old geographical documents
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- PtolemaicEarth-centered astronomical system
- Age of ExplorationPeriod of global seafaring
- colonialOf occupied territories
Geographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- datumSingle unit of information
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- meridianPole-to-pole great circle
equator · triangulation · geoid · azimuth · theodolite · elevation · benchmark · ellipsoid
Device showing cardinal directions
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- routePath from A to B
- bearingPosture or orientation
- landmarkNotable point of reference
orientation · mariner · piloting · waypoint · dead reckoning · chartwork
Spatial data framework
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- LIDARLight-based distance measurement
- photogrammetryDeriving measurements from photographs
- geospatialRelating to earth-position data
remote sensing · geovisualization · georeferencing · digitization · raster · vector · satellite imagery
Organized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- terra incognitaUnexplored or unknown region
- unchartedNot yet documented
- frontierEdge of settlement
reconnaissance · Lewis and Clark · Mercator · Ptolemy · Age of Discovery · portolan charts
Describing cosmic structure
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
- celestial sphereImaginary dome of stars
- constellationNamed pattern of celestial bodies
Picture explaining something
- aestheticsTheory of beauty
- designPurposeful creative planning
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- stylizationArtistic rendering with deliberate conventions
coloring · detailing · linework · illumination · ornamentation · calligraphy · pictorial · vignette
Statistical population category
- statisticalRelating to data analysis
- censusOfficial population count
- populationAll inhabitants combined
- heat mapColor-coded intensity chart
projection
Something that extends outward
symbology · graticule · grid · datum · coordinates · topography · surveying · drafting · atlas · parchment
antique maps
Old geographical documents
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- PtolemaicEarth-centered astronomical system
- Age of ExplorationPeriod of global seafaring
latitude
Geographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- datumSingle unit of information
- projectionSomething that extends outward
meridian · equator · triangulation · geoid · azimuth · theodolite · elevation · benchmark · ellipsoid · coordinate system
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- routePath from A to B
- bearingPosture or orientation
landmark · orientation · mariner · piloting · waypoint · dead reckoning · chartwork
GIS
Spatial data framework
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- LIDARLight-based distance measurement
- photogrammetryDeriving measurements from photographs
geospatial · remote sensing · geovisualization · georeferencing · digitization · raster · vector · satellite imagery
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- terra incognitaUnexplored or unknown region
- unchartedNot yet documented
frontier · reconnaissance · Lewis and Clark · Mercator · Ptolemy · Age of Discovery · portolan charts
cosmography
Describing cosmic structure
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
- planetariumProjected sky exhibit hall
- celestial sphereImaginary dome of stars
illustration
Picture explaining something
- aestheticsTheory of beauty
- designPurposeful creative planning
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
stylization · coloring · detailing · linework · illumination · ornamentation · calligraphy · pictorial · vignette · cartouche
demographic
Statistical population category
- statisticalRelating to data analysis
- censusOfficial population count
- populationAll inhabitants combined
- geographic artlandscape art, landscapes, landscape painting, seascapes, cityscapes
- science artscientific illustration, anatomical drawing, botanical illustration, medical illustration, Vitruvian Man
- geoscience datacore samples, bathymetry, terrain maps, cross sections, volcanic activity
- Islamic cartographyworld map, world maps, mapmaking, regional map, regional maps
- terrain methodsterrain analysis, field surveys, surveying, mapping, LiDAR
- explorationexploration, explore, expedition, expeditions, voyage
cartographynavigation
Determining position and course
wayfinding · exploration · pathfinding · travel · journeying