mapeo

Mapeo is a Spanish noun derived from mapear, meaning the act of mapping or creating maps, as well as the process of establishing correspondences between different representations. It encompasses several disciplines where a representation of space, data relations, or features is produced or analyzed.

In geography and cartography, mapeo refers to the creation of maps and the use of geographic information systems to visualize spatial data, plan routes, or assess terrain and land use.

In information technology and data management, mapeo describes the process of mapping data elements from one schema to another (data mapping), a key step in data integration, ETL workflows, and database design. It can also refer to mapping inputs to outputs in software development, or API routing.

In sciences, genetic mapping (mapeo genético) locates genes on chromosomes; brain and connectome mapping aim to identify neural regions and connections. These mappings help researchers understand structure, function, and relationships.

In social sciences and community work, participatory mapping (mapeo participativo) engages communities in documenting resources, land tenure, risks, and informants' knowledge. It supports planning, advocacy, and rights recognition.

Typical methods include data collection, coordinate assignment, selection of projection and scale, classification, and quality control. Challenges include data quality, bias, privacy, and the alignment of different representation systems.

See also: mapping, cartography, GIS, data mapping, participatory mapping.