cartography

[kahr-tog-ruh-fee]

noun

1. the production of maps, including construction of projections, design, compilation, drafting, and reproduction.

cartography

/ kɑːˈtɒɡrəfɪ, ˌkɑːtəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. the art, technique, or practice of compiling or drawing maps or charts

cartography

1. The art or technique of making maps or charts.

Other Word Forms

• cartograph noun
• cartographer noun
• cartographic adjective
• cartographical adjective
• cartographically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartography¹

1855–60; < Latin c ( h ) art ( a ) carte + -o- + -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartography¹

C19: from French cartographie, from carte map, _chart

Example Sentences

Moreover, Latinos are using smartphones for digital cartography much as Black people mapped freedom during the eras of slavery and Jim Crow.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Performing a feat of “human cartography” requires cutting-edge biology and computer science.

Read more on BBC

It requires a passion for cities, urban history and, perhaps, cartography; an affinity for architecture and urban design; a love of community; and a knack for numbers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Leanne Abraham is a graphics editor at The Times with a focus on cartography and data visualization.

Read more on New York Times

The Seattle-based cartography company turns 50 this year, providing proof as clear as the compass rose that the hard-copy map is not going the way of the phone book.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• earth science 
• geology 
• geopolitics 
• topography