Cartography as Intentional Distortion

Abstract

Cartographers distort reality to allow map users to perceive it correctly. Hill-shading, classification, generalisation etc. are all methods that aim at simplifying reality and making it easier to comprehend. Similarly, by opting for specific mapping methods, reality is distorted, and specific data categories are highlighted. Map projections are another type of distortion, that lead map users on to perceive wrong relationships. All these types of distortion—aimed at a better understanding of reality—have in common that cartographers know about their side effects, and can thus offset them. As cartography has been democratized, everyone now is able to visualise spatial data, but is not necessarily aware of this inherent distortion. It should be the cartographers’ task to make this knowledge available, and to indicate, for instance, wherever this might apply, for which type of map use and analysis the resulting maps would be (un)suitable.