Cartography
/kɑːrˈtɑːɡrəfi/
nounC1
Definition
Cartography means making maps or charts that show geographical areas. It is both a science and an art because it uses precise measurements and creative design to help people understand locations and spaces. Cartography helps in navigation, planning, and learning about the world.
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The science and skill of making maps
- •She studied cartography to learn how to create accurate maps.
- •Modern cartography uses computers to make digital maps.
- •Cartography helps pilots and sailors find their way.
The art of designing maps to be clear and useful
- •Good cartography makes maps easy to read and understand.
- •Cartographers choose colors and symbols carefully in their work.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cartography" like "map" (A1 word), but cartography is the process and skill of making the map, not just the map itself.
- ✓Picture a person drawing lines and symbols on paper to show mountains, rivers, and roads in clear ways.
- ✓It’s like the feeling when you see a treasure map that shows where to find hidden places.
- ✓Sounds like "car-TOG-rah-fee" → Imagine a car driving on a road, and a photographer (sounds like "tog") taking pictures to make a map.
- ✓Think of explorers in stories using maps made by cartographers to find new lands.
- ✓NOT like "map" (the finished product), cartography is the work behind making the map.
- ✓NOT like "geography" (study of Earth's features), cartography is about drawing and designing maps from geographic information.
Try Other Words
- •Map-making: creating maps (Use when speaking in simple or general terms)
- •Map design: planning how a map looks (Use when focusing on the artistic part)
- •Surveying: measuring land to collect data for maps (Use when focusing on data collection before map-making)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "carto-" (from Greek "chartēs," meaning map) + "-graphy" (from Greek, meaning writing or drawing)
- •Etymology: Comes from Greek roots meaning "map writing" or "map drawing"
- •Historical development: Originally meant writing or drawing maps by hand; now includes digital map-making
- •Modern usage: Used for both traditional and computer-based map creation in geography, planning, and navigation
Reflect & Connect
•How do you think cartography has changed with the use of computers and satellite images?
•In what ways can good cartography help people in everyday life, like traveling or learning about new places?
Fill in the blanks
1.Cartography involves ___ maps that show details like roads, rivers, and cities.
2.A good cartographer must understand both the science of measuring land and the ___ of designing clear maps.
3.Before making a map, cartographers often collect data through ___ and measurements.
4.Unlike just drawing a picture, cartography requires ___ and accuracy to be useful.
5.Modern cartography often uses ___ to create digital maps instead of drawing by hand.
6.When planning a trip, people rely on cartography to ___ the best routes and locations.
7.Cartography is different from geography because geography studies the Earth, while cartography ___ maps of it.