1. Lectures
2. Online tutorials
3. Problem-based Learning(s)
4. Assignment(s)
5. Presentation(s)

1. Introduction History, aims and phases; collection, processing and presentation
2. Cartographic data capture Sources, preparation, digitizing feature coding
3. Basic principles of cartographic methods
4. Cartographic data processing Software, data input, processing, data reduction, editing, storage, on-line operations, data bank & management operations
5. Computer Graphics Graphic output devices, line printer mapping, automatic drafting machine; interactive display units, computer output on microfilming systems
6. Graphical presentation & drafting Drafting point symbols, area symbols, relief representation & names
7. Applications Topographic, Cadastral, Engineering & Thematic, Charts

Cartography deals in representations of the world

For centuries, cartography has remained the means to map our changing world

Cartography is a discipline as old as humankind & as young as today's newspaper

Old - map predates many other forms of human communication

Young - has been subjected to a series of revolutions in innovative technology

Cartography is an intersectional discipline with location as the central idea. It overlaps between geography, earth science, topology, & politics

Phases:

• Quill-pen cartography - research on
• Mapping-pen cartography - research on
• Scribing cartography - research on
• Photogrammetric cartography - research on

Current phase:

1. Computer Cartography - modern day Computer-aided design & Cartography (CAD)
2. Analytical Cartography - Geographic information systems (GIS); the ultimate culmination of cartography & modern technology

Cartography is the method through which maps are studied, created and designed

1. Helps us understand our place in the world
2. Helps us analyze positional relationships, & reflect on geography's effect on humans

1960s

• Simple algorithm for cartographic tasks e.g. draw contour lines

1970s

• Plethora of different algorithms - implementation of new algorithms
• Automation of cartographic techniques e.g. complicated methods such as hill shading & cartograms
• Stand-alone computer programs e.g. SYMAP package

1980s

• Automating even toughest cartographic problems - automated placement of text
• Use of images/photos to compile and update maps
• E.g. COGO (coordinate geometry) systems for surveyors, computer-aided design (CAD)

2000s to date

• Artificial intelligence - automatic objects identification & symbolization
• Object based image anaysis e.g. image matching / feature recognation software

Future

• You can imagine a fully automated mapping system (Smart System) - acquire data by remote sensing, extract, identify, symbolize features in the image by understanding their context & form, and labelling the features by searching databases by location

Mapping more cost-effective - computer-produced maps seem to cost about the same, but reusing the digital map makes the difference

Level of output of maps has increased - once 1st output is done, subsequent production is fast & easy

People - many more people outside the discipline now encounter and eventually study cartography

Simplification - computer has relieved the cartographer from tedious production tasks

Revision - finished product can be interactively modified to make all the changes needed

New data - mapping new types of data beyond the traditional domain of cartography, such as statistical distributions

2D/3D/4D mapping - new interactive media, multimedia, and animation to show spatial distributions over time & space

Enormous technical training

Non-cartographers can now easily produce maps

A. Collection

1. Data collection - existing maps, aerial photos/digital imagery, field surveys
2. Data organisation - selection/sorting various data
3. Data manipulation - aggregation, percentages, densities, summary measures

B. Processing

1. Classification, Simplification, Exaggeration, Symbolization (graphic variables, color schemes)
2. Clearly define purpose of the map
3. Choose appropriate map projection
4. Choose map scale

C. Presentation

1. Laser printing - few copies
2. Offset printing - large number of copies
3. Digital formats

Queries about this Lesson, please send them to: jmwaura@jkuat.ac.ke

*References*

• Analytical and Computer Cartography, 2nd ed. Keith C. Claike
• Geographic Information Systems: The Microcomputer and Modern Cartography, 1st ed. Fraser Taylor