compilation

Cartography is the art and science of graphically representing a geographical area, typically on a flat surface like a map or chart. This ancient discipline dates back to prehistoric times, with early examples including Babylonian maps on clay tablets around 2300 BCE.123

Maps can be created from original surveys or compiled from existing materials. Compiled maps are often smaller-scale and use data not gathered from new field surveys. The process involves researching, selecting, and adjusting data from various sources, often reducing them to a common scale. Modern cartography increasingly utilizes aerial and satellite photography, alongside technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to create highly accurate maps.4561