Maps are graphic representations that help spatially understand things, concepts, or events. There are three main types of maps: topographic, thematic, and special maps. A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data to capture, manage, analyze and display geographically referenced information. Modern cartography, or map making, largely uses computers and GIS technology.

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Maps and GIS

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Themes
 Definition of a map
 Map types
 GIS (geographic information system)

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Definition of a map
One of many definitions of a map is:
”Maps are graphic representations that facilitate a spatial
understanding of things, concepts, conditions,
processes, or events in the human world”
(Harley & Woodward, 1987)

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Map types
Maps play an essential role in the study of physical geography because much
of the information content of geography is stored and displayed on maps.
There are three different map types:
Topographic maps
Thematic maps
Special maps

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GIS
”A geographic information system
(GIS) integrates hardware, software
and data for capturing, managing,
analyzing and displaying all forms of
geographically referenced information”

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Map making and GIS
 Cartography is the design and production of maps, or visual
representations of spatial data
 In cartography, technology has continually changed in order to meet
the demands of new generations of mapmakers and map users
 The first maps were manually constructed with brushes and
parchment
 The vast majority of modern cartography is done with the help of
computers, usually using a GIS