Cartography: Facts, Figures, Fiction, Fake – or: 170 Years of Cartography at ETH Zurich
Creators: name: Hurni, Lorenz
Publisher: name: ETH Zurich
Year: 2024
Subjects: Cartography
cartographic modelling and representation
cartographic misuse
history of cartography
terrain representation
thematic maps
atlases
academic cartography
Swiss cartography

description: Cartography deals with the interference-free transfer of spatial information from the real world to the map user by means of graphic visualisation methods. The article begins by looking at cartographic modelling and the associated methods, challenges and possible misuses. The Institute of Cartography and Geoinformation (IKG) at ETH Zurich which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, deals with such questions for a long time, even in its predecessor chairs before the institute was founded by Professor Eduard Imhof in 1925. In the second part, many examples of the institute’s map projects which underpin this search for the ideal map will be presented. The history of the institute is currently being researched by a group of members of the institute. A commemorative volume will be published in 2025, and a scientific colloquium will be held in Zurich in June 2025 to present the results and current work. This summary therefore also provides a brief overview of the history, key people and projects of ETH Cartography. Cartography is concerned with the symbolic, graphic representation of spatial data and information on suitable output media such as paper or electronic devices. The starting point is our real environment, which is initially recorded using surveying equipment, sensors and the like. This can result in direct images such as satellite images, but these are not yet interpreted. As a rule, geo-objects are defined into which the initial image (or, if surveying equipment is used, directly in the field) is then segmented, either automatically or manually. This results in modelling; not every detail is reproduced on a map, but only that which is relevant for the purpose of the map and is also adapted to the selected scale. When modelling, the content of the real world is deliberately selected and simplified, and the geo-objects are represented by clear graphic symbols. With further cartographic generalisation, these effects and measures become even more obvious. Modelling therefore means simplification, but also alienation of the original content in the final representation. Eduard Imhof commented on this in 1981: “...maps are artificially produced worlds and therefore actually illusory worlds.” The reason for this alienation in cartography lies in the endeavour to convey the geographical situation as vividly and userfriendly as possible, while avoiding disturbing or confusing details or irrelevant content. The greatest possible objectivity should still be maintained in the presentation of spatial information. The first part of this article will therefore use examples to illustrate how this is done in cartography. However, examples of fictional maps that have nothing to do with the real world and misuse of these visualisation methods will also be shown.
description: Abstracts of the ICA, 7
description: ISSN:2570-2106