Meaning & use
cartography
Last updated
UK/kɑːˈtɒɡrəfi/
US/kɑːrˈtɑːɡrəfi/
Meaning
noununcountable
The science and art of making maps.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: 'Cartography is important.'
Patterns
- the study of cartography
- a course in cartography
She studied cartography at university.
Modern cartography uses satellite images and computer software.
The accuracy of cartography improved greatly with the invention of the compass.
Common combinations
- digital cartography
- Digital cartography allows anyone to create custom maps online.
- the history of cartography
- The history of cartography spans thousands of years.
- cartography software
- They used cartography software to map the region.
- a cartography expert
- The team hired a cartography expert to design the atlas.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mapmaking
- A more everyday word for the same activity; less formal.
Word family
- cartographer noun
- A person who makes maps.
- cartographic adjective
- Relating to mapmaking.
Commonly confused: cartography or cardiography?
cartography vs cardiography
Cardiography is the study of the heart; cartography is about maps. They sound similar but are completely different.
Practice
What does 'cartography' mean?
Choose one answer.
Cartography is the science of making maps. Option 1 confuses it with cardiography (heart), option 2 with astronomy, and option 3 with geology.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cartography”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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