A definition helps to point out several of their characteristics. One important part of the definition is the point that maps are drawn to scale . This means that there is a relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding horizontal distance on the earth's surface. The earth, obviously, is not. Therefore, to depict a significant portion of the earth on a two-dimensional plane poses a problem.
Cartographers are people who make maps.
Because of the importance of maps to geographers, there is a close relationship between cartography and the discipline of geography.