Every map begins with choices about what to show and what to leave out. Cartography is the art and science of designing and producing maps. It combines measurement, design, and an understanding of how people read spatial information.

Early cartographers worked with compasses, sextants, and painstaking field surveys. Today satellites, drones, and geographic information systems supply the data, yet the cartographer still decides scale, projection, symbology, and hierarchy of information. A good map communicates clearly without overwhelming the reader.

Projections always introduce some distortion because a sphere cannot be flattened without compromise. The cartographer selects the projection that preserves the properties most important for the map’s purpose. From navigation charts to election maps, cartography shapes how we understand the world.

• Art and science of mapmaking
• Involves data, design, and communication
• Must manage projection distortion
• Ranges from paper maps to interactive digital displays