Course Description: This course provides an introduction to cartographic principles and practical mapping techniques. It covers map reading, scale conversion, projections, terrain representation, climatic and thematic mapping, and the fundamentals of digital cartography. Through hands-on exercises and digital tools, learners develop skills to interpret geographic information, create thematic and digital maps, and design effective map layouts. The course prepares students to understand spatial patterns and apply mapping methods in geography, environmental studies, planning, and related fields. Course Objectives : Ø To introduce basic concepts of cartography, including map reading, interpretation, scale, symbols, and projections. Ø To develop practical skills to represent geographic features and phenomena through various cartographic techniques. Ø To train students in the creation of spatial data and preparation of digital maps using open-source GIS tools. Ø To enable students to design accurate, and meaningful maps through appropriate symbolization, visual layout, and thematic representation.

Syllabus

Week 1 — Basic Concepts
Students explore what cartography is, why it matters, and how it has evolved. They learn how maps are created, from gathering information to making meaningful representations of geographic features.

Week 2 — Map Reading & Interpretation
This week builds visual literacy. Students learn map symbols, read topographic sheets to understand land features, and interpret weather reports to understand the weather phenomena.

Week 3 — Map Scales
The focus is on how real-world distances become map measurements. Students practice converting and constructing scales and learn simple ways to measure distance and area from maps.

Week 4 — Map Projections
The week focuses on how the curved Earth becomes flat on paper. They compare different projection types, including Zenithal, Bonne, and UTM, noting how each distorts distance, area, or direction differently.

Week 5 — Profiles
Students learn how to read contour lines and build landform sketches. They construct different types of profiles and study river longitudinal profiles to understand changes in slope and landform shape.

Week 6 — Slope Analysis
This week introduces methods to study land height and relief. Using Wentworth, Smith, and hypsometric techniques, students learn how to describe terrain types and elevation patterns.

Week 7 — Climatic Analysis
Students learn simple ways to visualize climate data. They prepare wind-rose diagrams, climographs, hyther graphs, and deviation graphs to understand temperature, rainfall, and wind variations.

Week 8 — Thematic Mapping Techniques (Manual)
This week explores maps that show social or environmental themes. Students draw choropleth, isopleth, dot, and flow maps to represent population, elevation, climate, movement, and other patterns.

Week 9 — Digital Cartography & Web Mapping
Students step into digital tools. They explore how digital maps are made and used, and practice basic operations in Google Earth Pro to view, measure, and map geographic features.

Week 10 — Creation of Digital Maps
Students work with open-source GIS software to create maps. They learn georeferencing, setting projections, and creating new spatial data for mapping.

Week 11 — Symbolization
This week explains how visual choices influence understanding. Students learn color use, symbol selection, and labeling to make maps clear, readable, and meaningful.

Week 12 — Thematic Mapping (Digital), Map Design and Layout
Students prepare thematic maps digitally (isopleth, choropleth, dot, flow maps) and learn the principles of map design and composition to make effective maps.

Special Lecture — Modern Cartography using Extended Reality
A forward-looking session explores XR (extended reality) technologies — such as VR and AR — and how they are used in cartography to visualize and interact with geographic features in new immersive ways.