Cartography is an art · that gives us the world on paper · We see mountains, rivers, and coasts · that fill our hearts with longing  •  The map is a treasure chest · full of knowledge and secrets · It shows us paths and trails · that lead us to new destinations  •  It gives us orientation · in a world full of change · it's like a compass · that guides us to our destiny  •  But the map alone · is just a piece of paper · it takes the spirit of exploration · to bring it to life  •  So cartography remains · an art full of magic · that shows us the world in miniature · and inspires us.

Just about everything with a location reference can be seen on a map—and often this is the best way to view it. The main purpose of a map, orientation, is most effective when the spatial relationship of the map’s elements come to the fore. Enriched with the representation of quantitative and qualitative properties, this purpose is not only to be understood spatially, but in ideal terms it puts forward a comprehensive presentation of the subject on display. Aesthetic map graphics that are as self-explanatory as possible round off the whole map experience.

Creating thematic maps is a fascinating process—a wide array of information from various sources is used as a foundation and rendered in cartographic form through symbols, colour and text as design elements. The challenge is to find a balance between accuracy and aesthetics and to convey the message of the map as comprehensibly and attractively as possible. The countless possibilities of visual representation and the careful handling of information lend cartography an artistic dimension.