Post on 04-Jan-2016
transcript
Introduction to CartographyGEOG 2016 E
Lecture-1Introduction and Overview
Basics
• We all tell people directions to somewhere.– For example, we use the terms as two blocks south of
the Parker building.– Or about 100 meters north-west of the New Sudbury
Center.• Sometimes we sketch a map to illustrate the
directions.• In this respect, everyone is an amateur
cartographer.• However the science of cartography is much more
than drawing maps for directions.
Importance of Cartography
• In cartography we represent geographic information in digital or analog forms.– Digital: on computer– Analog: on paper
• The question is, why do we want to represent geographic information?
• Why do we want to represent this information graphically?
Geographic Information
• What kind of geographic information we wish to represent on a map?– Any information that is useful• Location – longitude, latitude• Elevation• Attributes
• What are attributes?• Vegetation• Mineral resources• Structures etc. etc.
Map of Sudbury
Modern Trends in Cartography
• The new trend is to move away from printed maps.
• Geographic information is now preferably stored in computer databases.
• This is highly advantageous since it allows:– Manipulation and analysis of spatial data– Develop remote sensing and GPS tracking systems– Develop Geographic Information Systems– Develop more visually informative maps
History of Cartography
• History of cartography is fairly old – First recorded maps were of stars (ca. 4000 BCE)
• Babylonian civilization is known for its excellence in mathematics and astronomy
• They created world maps in as early as 6th Century BCE
Eratosthenes
• Greek mathematician, astronomer, geographer (276 BC – 195 BC)
• Is considered the father of modern cartography
• First person to use the word “geography”• First person to calculate the circumference of
the earth• Introduced the idea of meridians and parallels
Map by Eratosthenes
Claudius Ptolemy
• Roman mathematician, astronomer and geographer (AD 90 – AD 168)
• Wrote Geographica – a compilation of world geography as it was known during his time
• Drew maps on coordinates based on latitude and longitude
• Also used lists and captions to describe map attributes
Map by Ptolemy
Maps in Other Cultures
• Maps can be found in all ancient cultures• For example, China’s Han Dynasty in around
200 BCE created maps that had scales and directions
• Islamic geographers, such as al-Khwarizmi and Al-Idrisi wrote books and drew maps
• Al-Khwarizmi revised Ptolemy’s geography
Ancient Chinese Map
Map by Al-Idrisi