We all know about Christopher Columbus, the man who discovered America, only because of using maps and navigational tools and it was one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in our history. Well, that was 1492 and it is now 2025 – around five centuries have passed and the concept of cartography has drastically evolved from a simple hand-written map to digital Google Earth.
We can understand the concept of cartography in some simple words. A graphical representation of geographical areas on a flat surface, or we can call it a map. The evaluation of cartography is a key factor in our ability as human beings to decode the world around us.
So, let’s explore how this evaluation from ancient cartography to modern Google Earth has happened and changed our point of view of exploring the world. We all know about the advancement of AI and its impact on mapping. So, what will be the future of mapping? Will AI going to dominate cartography? What are the possibilities?
Before exploring the future possibilities of maps, we will first embark on a journey through the fascinating history of mapping.
History of Cartography
1. Ancient Mapping
The history of cartography can be dated back to the human desire to explore the world. During 16,500 BCE, the map was a reflection of the night sky rather than the Earth. Our ancestors used to draw paintings on caves and rocks, which have been considered the first navigation tools by archaeologists.
However, if we are talking about actual maps, then the reference to Babylonia which is probably a clay tablet, can be linked here. In 600 BCE, the Babylonian World Map was created featuring several topographies like valleys, hills, mountains and so on. It became unique because it represents Earth rather than just the night sky.
2. Greek Mapping
The Greeks bring the evaluation of maps and the idea of drawing topographies on paper rather than clay. Anazimander has been considered the first cartographer, who first drew the known world’s map on paper. However, Herodotus, Hecataeus, Eratosthenes and Ptolemy have also contributed to the history of Greek maps who created maps based on mathematical calculations and observations. Even the idea of longitude and latitude was first introduced by Ptolemy in “Geographia” which inspired the mapmaking idea over centuries.
3. Contribution of China in mapping
China was also a great contributor to the ancient map. In the fourth century BCE, China started to draw maps on wooden blocks or silk. This Chinese map from Qin State is considered the oldest economic map in the world that showcases different landscapes of the Jialing River, roads and so on.
4. European Maps
Do you know that in the mid-century, this concept which was based on mathematical calculations and observation was also influenced by religious and mythical interpretations? Well, that happened in European cartography. These European maps were similar to Greek maps.
However, in the 13th century, the Majorcan Cartographic School was developed where a collaborative group of Jewish cartographers, navigators, cosmographers and navigational instrument-makers contributed to the advancement of European mapping. More sophisticated navigational charts were created that assist sailors to gain knowledge of geographical trading areas.
5. Age of exploration
Nicholas Germanus, in the 15th century, introduced the Donis map projection that features equidistant parallels and converging meridians. This century has been called the Age of Exploration because detailed mapping and navigation started in this era. The first map of America was first created by a Spanish explorer, Juan de la Cosa, in the early 1500s. In 1527, Pádron Real, the first scientific world map was introduced by a Portuguese cartographer, Diogo Ribeiro. Forwarding to the 1600s and 1700s, the exploration of world maps started to grow precisely.
How did modern paper cartography become satellite mapping?
Now, we have an idea of how ancient cartography expanded due to human curiosity, intelligence and desire to be more advanced. The innovative advancement started modern cartography. Different tools like telescopes, compasses, quadrants, printing presses and sextants advance the navigation and mapping system.
As the demands started to emerge, the development of maps started to emerge. World War I and World War II can be considered one of the significant contributors in the advent of modern mapping. Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed in the mid-20th century that brought advancement in the mapping process.
With the help of GIS, we now accurately gained an idea of population density, climate conditions and land utilisation. In Marine Electronics, the GIS has specifically upgraded the marine ecosystem and travel system. Even, in politics, this GIS technology has been used for mapping elections and reaching the target voter demographics.
This GIS system evolved with technological advancement. It started to be used in different navigation applications like satellite-based mapping or we can call it Google Map. There might be rare people in our modern generation, who do not use Google Maps once in their lives. Google Maps has made our lives smoother and more efficient with its real-time navigation. It improves our ability to explore new places by offering detailed views of satellite images, user-generated reviews, traffic updates and more to make informed decisions in our daily lives.
However, as we are advancing in technological integration, the demand of us increasing, pushing us for more seamless, accurate and personalised navigation experiences. Google has been investing in AI to enhance the experience of Google Maps and Google Earth for more accurate and fresh information. So, what do you think will be the future of mapping?
Possibilities of future maps
We have been as our demands increased, the cartography process also started to become more and more technologically advanced and sophisticated. The process that was just started through paper drawing has now transformed into digital platforms like Google Earth. Now, with the integration of AI, we might explore the world in a completely new way to interact with the world.
A professor and director of the Centre for Geo-Computation Studies at Hong Kong University, Zhou Qiming, stated in a phone call, “We’ve entered a new era for cartography. Previously, map-making focused solely on projecting the Earth and its sphericality on a flat plane. That’s taking a less crucial role now.”
However, if we link the possibilities with cutting-edge technologies like AI, AR, VR and so on there might be several opportunities in the advancement of cartography. AI can evolve the mapping system through hyper-personalised maps with real-time data, where we can understand traffic patterns, construction zones and weather conditions.
AR can provide a more sophisticated view of digital maps where the physical and digital worlds can be combined. Through AR glasses or AR view on smartphones, we might get guidance through streets, indoor spaces, buildings and more in a more sophisticated and revolutionary way. Moreover, the collaboration of GPS and VR might enhance the exact location of people or devices or anything else in a simulated environment with 360-degree visuals by capturing the exact movement of real-world activities.
Henceforth, in this completely interconnected world, the evaluation of mapping systems can shape human civilizations. However, it is also necessary to remember that responsible technology should always be at the forefront.
FAQ
1. What is cartography?
Cartography is the graphical representation of geographical areas on a flat surface, or we can call it a map. The evaluation of cartography is a key factor in our ability as human beings to decode the world around us.
2. How has cartography evolved over time?
The process that was just started through paper drawing has now transformed into digital platforms like Google Earth. Now, with the integration of AI, we might explore the world in a completely new way to interact with the world.
3. How did ancient maps come into being?
During 16,500 BCE, the map was a reflection of the night sky rather than the Earth. Our ancestors used to draw paintings on caves and rocks, which have been considered the first navigation tools by archaeologists.
4. Who were the major contributors to Greek cartography?
Anazimander has been considered the first cartographer, who first drew the known world’s map on paper. However, Herodotus, Hecataeus, Eratosthenes, and Ptolemy have also contributed to the history of Greek maps who created maps based on mathematical calculations and observations.
5. How did GIS technology contribute to modern mapping?
With the help of GIS, we now accurately gained an idea of population density, climate conditions, and land utilization. In Marine Electronics, the GIS has specifically upgraded the marine ecosystem and travel system. Even, in politics, this GIS technology has been used for mapping elections and reaching the target voter demographics.
6. What role did World War I and World War II play in modern cartography?
World War I and World War II can be considered one of the significant contributors in the advent of modern mapping. Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed in the mid-20th century that brought advancement in the mapping process.
7. What is the future of mapping according to recent advancements?
AI can enhance mapping with hyper-personalized, real-time data on traffic, construction, and weather. AR will blend physical and digital worlds, offering advanced navigation through streets, buildings, and indoor spaces via AR glasses or smartphones.
