3-D Cartography

The expansion of cartography in to the realm of the third-dimension has been an explosive process. It has led to the development of new ways of understanding the world around us through the application of new types of spatial analysis techniques that would not be possible in two dimensions. Below are some examples of what new 3-D cartography is out there:

Bathymetry
Much of the ocean floor is deep beneath the surface of the water, and is unmapped and unexplored. Bathymetry is the technology that allows the display of the topography of the earth’s underwater surfaces. This is one realm into which 3-D cartography is expanding. Here is a link to learn more about bathymetry

World Wind

3-D Globes
There are several examples of this new 3-D technology (Google Earth and NASA World Wind are two more well known examples). These forms of 3-D cartography are very cool ways of looking at the world and are also very useful tools for cartographers or the general public. I at least know that Google Earth has provided me with many good images to use on posters and GIS projects. Here is a link to a google earth blog that has cool google images. And here is a link to a YOUTUBE trailor that shows features of NASA's World Wind.

Google Earth

Old Map--New Map

Cartography has changed greatly from the times of hand-drawn parchment maps and compass navigation. Historic maps are exceptional examples of hard work and dedication to the art of mapmaking. But they can also help to describe how far cartography has advanced since then. Even within the last decade and a half, the change in cartographic techniques and technology has been dramatic. That is why I want to look at an example of what I would currently consider an old map (a simple Nevada highway map) and compare it to what I would consider a new map (a Google Earth satellite/road hybrid map). Below are examples of these two kinds of maps:

The “old” map is good if all you need to know is which road will take you to which city. It is not a bad map, it just has limited uses. The “new” map provides a better sense of the landscape, and the mixing of satellite imagery with a roads layer on top just looks really cool. The hybrid map shows how far cartographic technology has come. This new mapping technology is so advanced, and yet it can be utilized with a free download to a personal computer.

The Nevada highway map is advanced compared to historic maps, but seems old and out-dated itself when compared to the new technology we have at our disposal in today’s modern cartographic world. Below is an example of a historic map from the UNLV Library website:

This historic map demonstrates how far the other two examples have come in terms of accuracy and applicability, and how far cartography has come in general. Hand-drawn maps are a thing of the past and computer technology has provided the world of cartography with a new pencil and pad of paper (or should I say mylar).