cartographically

Cartographically is an adverb used to denote that something relates to cartography, the science and practice of map making. The term modifies actions, descriptions, or analyses in relation to the creation and presentation of maps and spatial data. For example, a study might discuss cartographically derived features, or a map could be described as cartographically represented, indicating that its design choices follow map-making conventions and geographic visualization principles.

Etymology and form: Cartographically is formed from the adjective cartographic by adding the adverbial suffix -ly. Cartographic itself derives from cartography, the field concerned with charting and mapping.

Usage: The word appears mainly in technical, academic, and professional settings, rather than in everyday language. It is used to distinguish aspects that relate to map design—such as projection, scale, symbolization, generalization, and data visualization—from those that relate to other domains. Writers may compare cartographically optimized representations with non-cartographic analyses, or discuss how decisions in cartography affect interpretation of spatial information.

See also:

- Cartography

- Cartographic

- Map projection

- Geographic Information Systems

- Spatial analysis