GIS Cartography

By Julie Cidell
300
2026

Description

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively. The application of Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) continues to grow as a global research tool for understanding the world around us. Cartography, the process of making maps, has benefited greatly from advancements in GIS technology in recent years. The number of students earning degrees in cartography has risen considerably in the past decade to keep pace with the demands of technology and consumer needs. Modern cartography influences our lives in ways that probably don't seem obvious to most of us. Services that are simple for users, such as ordering rideshare from apps like Uber or Lyft are only possible due to innovations in modern cartography. Geographic information systems (GIS), the ultimate culmination of cartography and modern technology, allow us to map our world like never before: from rendering 3D oceanic base maps to find the nearest dry cleaner. Modern cartography has led to the creation of numerous digital tools that enhance the accuracy of traditional maps. One example is a new technology that addresses color blindness by allowing GIS experts to see what a map looks like to a colorblind individual. Modern cartography might seem like a contradiction when considering the historical origins of cartography and traditional map-making. However, cartography remains as relevant as it was centuries ago thanks to the advent of GPS, data globalization, and location analytics. Modern cartography allows GIS professionals to understand everything from climate change to where companies should open businesses. And, the possible applications extend far beyond our own planet. For example, this interactive map shows how new star charts and celestial coordinates can be discovered all through modern cartography techniques. This book approaches geological, geomorphological and topographical mapping from the point in the workflow at which science-ready datasets are available. Though there have been many individual projects on dynamic maps and online GISs, in which coding and data processing are given precedence over cartographic principles, cartography is more than "just" processing and displaying spatial data. However, there are currently no textbooks on this rapidly changing field, and methods tend to be shared informally.

About Author

Julie Cidell Professor, Department Head, University of Illinois is a native of the Chicago area with a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Minnesota. She has published papers on airport expansion, the suburban logistics landscape, the geography of chocolate, and green buildings. She has worked as a transportation engineer in Boston and taught physical geography in northern and southern California. Currently, she is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where her work focuses on critical perspectives on transportation geography.

Table of Content

Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction to GIS and Cartography

Understanding GIS
The History of Cartography
Essential Components of GIS
Difference Between Remote Sensing and GIS
Chapter 2. Coordinate Systems and Map Projections
Geographic Coordinate System
Projected Coordinate System
Transformation Between Coordinate System 
Geodetic Datum
Chapter 3. Spatial Data Models and Structures
Vector Data Models 
Raster Data Models
Vector Vs Raster Graphics
Geospatial Topology
Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
Chapter 4. Data Collection and Acquisition
Sources of Data Collection 
The Mechanics of GPS Surveying
Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry
Remote Sensing and GIS Integration
Chapter 5. GIS Software and Tools
Introduction to ArcGIS
GIS Tools and Resources
Grass GIS
Saga GIS
Chapter 6. Cartographic Design Principles
Typography
Great Designs Start with Layout and Composition Basics
Icon Usability
White Space Analysis
Cartographic Generalization
Chapter 7. Thematic and Analytical Mapping
Choropleth Map
Dot Density Maps
Isarithmic Mapping
Flow Maps
Multivariate Map
Cartogram
Chapter 8. Geospatial Analysis Techniques
Spatial Analysis: Buffer & Proximity Analysis
Overlay Operations & Analysis in GIS 
Interpolation Methods
Viewshed Analysis
Digital Elevation Models and Terrain Analysis
Hot Spot and Cluster Analysis
Chapter 9. Remote Sensing and Raster Analysis
Basics of Remote Sensing
Types of Resolution in Remote Sensing
Supervised and Unsupervised Learning
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
Basics of Change Detection Methods
Overview of Georeferencing
Accuracy Assessment
Chapter 10. Web Mapping and GIS on the Cloud
Web Mapping & Web GIS 
Openlayers Vs. Leaflet
Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Map Service (WMS)
Story Maps for Public Engagement
Bibliography
Index