Geoscience Reference
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several different maps can have the same combinations of these three basic
elements. Awareness of this factor is necessary especially when delimiting
the groups of maps to be analysed in a specific case and when interpreting
the results. When observing this restriction, however, this chain of analy-
ses hopefully will provide an improved survey of the relations between dif-
ferent categories of cartographic products and studies and also improved
understanding of the connections between the creations and experiencing
of them. Another application of this way of reasoning is that we can re-
verse the process. We can follow how within a functionally or otherwise
defined group of maps - i.e. sea charts or maps showing the continents -
the relations between the three basic elements change during time (e.g.
how observations and calculations replaces the elements of imagination).
The trajectories connecting these separate combinations within the triangle
diagram can give a deeper insight of the development of cartographic
thinking. This later aspect is, however, not treated in the present paper.
The exception is a trajectory showing the development of hypothetic
person's mental map through his lifeline.
This paper is a part of an ongoing project, the revising and completing of
the topic “Human Cartography” (1987)
1- Introduction
The Roman god Janus used to be portrayed as one head with two faces,
one turned towards the future and the second one to the opposite direction,
to the past. The both faces of the god are identical. Janus could be an ade-
quate symbol for the art and science of cartography but it would require
some alteration: the two faces must be somewhat different. One of the
faces would be extrovert, sharp-eyed, having a focused, determined and
controlled expression. This face would represent the side of the cartogra-
phy, which is not only central for its nature but currently mostly empha-
sized and developed. This side represents the technical and abstract aspects
of cartography, exact observations, careful measuring, precise definition
and treatment of information with that kind of precision which belongs to
the natural- and engineering sciences.
The other face would be similar but would have a somewhat different
expression. It would be more introverts, observing also through the “inner
eye”, the eye of imagination, fantasy, dreams, religious interpretations of
