Old map of Wicklow
Ordinance Survey map of Wicklow, detailing roads, towns and streets.
Courtesy of Wicklow County LibrariesCourtesy of Wicklow County Libraries
Old map of Wicklow
Ordinance Survey map of Wicklow, detailing roads, towns and streets.
Courtesy of Wicklow County LibrariesCartographers make maps. Therefore, cartography is the study of maps and making maps. In the past, cartographers drew maps by hand, like the one pictured here. These were often printed so that many people could make use of them.
Cartography began to develop in earnest during the Renaissance in the sixteenth century. At that time, cartography was greatly influenced by the influential Greek Ptolemy, even though he had lived 1,300 years earlier. Given the limited knowledge available to him at the time he lived, Ptolemy's grasp of world geography was a huge achievement. His work in geography and astronomy was influential for many centuries after his death.
In the present day, maps are usually made with computer software, like the one shown in in this photo. Google Maps is an example of modern mapmaking using computers and satellite photography. Although this makes a cartographer's job easier in some ways, mapmaking remains a very skilled and complex job, requiring thorough research and organisation of information.