Let’s compare digital mapping with the old way of creating maps. In the old days, cartographers would spend days and nights at a map, drawing each element in ink. Such work was very painstaking, and the labour involved was simply unjustified. The technology for mapping has now changed significantly, and computers now do all the hard work – and much faster. During the processing of cartographic information on the PC, special automated systems are used, which have great functionality, consisting of the tools needed to create maps. Due to their flexibility, automated mapping systems provide a lot of possibilities for modern cartographers, which really simplify and improve the process of terrain illustration.
Digital Cartography is an integral part of cartography. It studies and develops the theory and methods of creating digital and electronic maps, as well as the automation of cartographic work.
Advantages of using digital mapping
saving of labour resources. If cartographers in the modern world had not used automation as they do now, one map would have cost a fortune, as it would have required an unthinkable amount of labour. Now, thanks to specially developed systems, it is relatively easy to create maps, which affects their price;
Editability. If you have made a map, but the terrain has changed (forest has been cut, the river has dried up, etc.), your creation can be considered invalid as it contains inaccurate information. However, digital cartography supports the ability to edit maps so that they can be brought back to their former relevance. Moreover, this again brings significant labour savings.
Digital cartography is a real breakthrough in geographical science as it allows us to depict the world as it really is. The advantages of computer technology are not only the perfect quality of graphical work, but also high accuracy, a significant increase in labour productivity, and improved polygraphic quality of mapping products.