1.6: Geography is a Way to Communicate – Cartography the Jedi Language

Because you are reading this, you have some command of the rules that govern the English language. You no doubt can write in this language as well, another indication of your textual literacy: i.e. you can communicate with a written language. You probably are reasonably adept at communicating with numbers as well – so you are numerate or you have numeracy skills. Without these two key skillsets, you would not be in college. Geographers must be literate and numerate, but we also work to heighten our ability to communicate with non-textual, visual imagery, and/or graphics as well. Geographers who can both “read” graphics and create “readable” graphics have graphicacy skills and are considered graphicate. Persons who can read and create legible, communicative maps, are considered cartographicate and possess cartographicacy skills. Mapmakers are called cartographers.

Cartography is the science and art of map-making and it is the specialized language of the geographer. The ability to communicate vast amounts of information, and/orideas using maps is an excellent skill to develop. In the last decade, thanks to Google Maps/Earth, GPS and a massive increase in the value placed on spatial data by the government, military and private enterprise, cartographicacy has blossomed as a valuable type of literacy.

It makes sense that maps have re-entered the public’s consciousness in recent years. Besides the explosion in spatial data available with which cartographers can create fun or informative maps, changes in the pace of our lives as well the tendency for us to be overwhelmed by data in the digital age have made well-constructed maps and graphics a welcome coping mechanism. Maps allow our brains to rapidly process far greater amounts of data than we could if we encountered the same data as text or in a massive spreadsheet. Maps allow us to see patterns and processes that would be difficult to discern otherwise.

Although some folks find maps innately easy to read, maps confuse others. Moreover, it can be very challenging to author a legible map. Good cartography is harder than it looks. Some colleges feature full programs in Cartography. Professional cartography is a great career path for the talented few who master this Jedi art. All geographers, even those whose specialty is not cartography, should endeavor to become reasonably adept at making maps. Thanks to GIS, most people who know GIS can create a tolerably good map using the software’s built-in cartography templates.

Good Cartography?

Throughout this text, you should notice there are varying styles of cartography, with varying degrees of quality. This is purposeful. It affords students and instructors opportunities to discuss the communicative power of cartography. Look for maps that communicate effectively, and for those that do not. Hopefully, the author has indicated examples of poor cartography. Consider elements of color, scale, projection, and text that work to enhance or degrade the power of maps in this volume to communicate clearly and effectively.