History of Cartography

The ICA Commission for the History of Cartography forms a scientific community dealing with the development of cartographic ideas, theory, methods, design, and technology of map reproduction, as well as with advances in Geographical Information Systems and their applications in cartography. We are currently concentrating on topics essential to the understanding of recent cartography, recognising that cartographic practice and traditions do vary among different countries and cultures. Many of these topics are closely related to the ongoing History of Cartography project (www.geography.wisc.edu/histcart/index.html), which is currently tackling volumes Four (Cartography in the European Enlightenment) and Six (Cartography in the Twentieth Century). We have a strong intention to connect activities of our Commission with the project through its director, Dr Matthew Edney.

Aside from contributing to such activities, Commission members focus on the following topics. Field surveys: manuals and instructions, reports, tables of symbols, theoretical publications (including chapters in geographical books), textbooks, and materials for compiling geographical descriptions during or after the surveys. Small-scale (cabinet) general and thematic cartography: published and manuscript works on map compilation using different source materials, instruments, and techniques, publications and writings on map projections and their use, and historical works on map generalisation. And use of maps: instructions for professionals (cartographers, geographers, and others) and ordinary consumers, geographers’ writings and remarks on the matter. The intention is to compile a research tool for scholars in the form of annotated bibliographies of published and manuscript works on these topics for each country.

To progress with these ideas and projects the Commission actively participates in research meetings and conferences at which members can promote their work. In 2005, both the main ICA Conference held in A Coruna and the International History of Cartography Conference in Budapest provided opportunities for the majority of members to meet. In Budapest a symposium was held on the ‘History of Reconnaissance Field Surveys’. Continuing addressing the topics listed above, the Commission is organising a symposium entitled ‘Development of Ideas and Methods in Cartography (eighteenth to twentieth centuries)’ to be held during the Kaliningrad ‘Intercarto – InterGIS 12, Sustainable Development of Territories’ to take place in August/September 2006. This symposium will be supported by the Russian Academy of Sciences S.I. Vavilov Institute of the History of Science and Technology and the Institute of Geography, and by the Moscow State University Department of Geography.

Preparations are also underway for the usual Commission meeting associated with the next ICA Conference, to take place in Moscow in August 2007, at which much of our research will be presented in the form of publications and presentations.