CTEVT 📚 Cartography – Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography (Full Chapter + Free PDF + Real-World Examples)
🚀 Did you know every map you use — from cadastral plans to population charts — belongs to a specific branch of cartography?
Chapter 3 of Cartography (EG 2201 GE) in the CTEVT Diploma in Geomatics Engineering – 4th Semester takes you inside the fascinating process of Map Compilation and introduces the key branches that bring different map types to life: Base Maps, Derived Maps, and Thematic Maps.
📥 Download the Free PDF Notes and explore how professional cartographers build accurate, meaningful maps used in surveying, land management, and GIS analysis.
📌 Overview
Cartography is not just about drawing maps — it’s about transforming spatial data into usable geographic information.
To do this, cartographers work through specialized branches, each handling different tasks — from raw data collection to analytical map creation.
Chapter 3 helps you understand:
- How maps are compiled from multiple sources
- The difference between base, derived, and thematic maps
- How Nepal’s national mapping system is organized
🎥 Watch the Full Cartography Chapter 3 Video
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📚 What’s Covered in Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography
This chapter deals mainly with Map Compilation, including its steps and techniques for creating different types of maps.
✔️ Map Compilation – The Foundation of Cartography
Map compilation is the process of assembling, selecting, and organizing geographic data from multiple sources into a single map.
It bridges survey data, satellite imagery, and existing maps to produce a coherent, accurate representation of the area.
🧭 Steps of Map Compilation
1️⃣ Planning the Map – Define purpose, scale, projection, and area coverage.
2️⃣ Data Collection – Gather data from:
- Field surveys (total station, GPS, leveling)
- Aerial photographs and satellite images
- Existing base maps or topographic sheets
- GIS datasets from Survey Department or online repositories
3️⃣ Data Selection & Evaluation – Choose relevant, up-to-date data; remove outdated or redundant information.
4️⃣ Compilation Drafting – Integrate spatial and attribute data into one framework.
5️⃣ Map Design & Editing – Apply cartographic symbols, colors, and layouts.
6️⃣ Verification & Finalization – Cross-check accuracy, coordinate system, and map elements before printing or digital export.
🗺️ Branches of Cartography
Cartography can be divided into three major branches based on map type and purpose:
🌍 1️⃣ Base Map Compilation
Base maps provide the fundamental spatial framework for all other maps.
They show topographic features, coordinate grids, and reference information used to overlay thematic data.
Features of a Base Map:
- Includes roads, rivers, boundaries, elevation (contours), settlements
- Uniform scale and projection system
- Acts as a foundation for further thematic or cadastral layers
🧩 Example (Nepal Context):
Survey Department of Nepal produces official Topographic Base Maps at:
- 1:25,000 scale – for detailed engineering and resource studies
- 1:50,000 scale – for regional planning
- 1:250,000 scale – for national overview
Each map follows the Modified Universal Transverse Mercator (MUTM) projection and national grid numbering system.
📍 Use: Base maps serve as reference layers in GIS projects, urban development, and infrastructure planning.
🏔️ 2️⃣ Derived Map Compilation
Derived maps are created by modifying or combining base maps or other existing datasets.
They “derive” new spatial information from already available data sources.
Common Derived Maps:
- Contour maps derived from DEM (Digital Elevation Model)
- Drainage maps generated from topographic data
- Landform or slope maps created from elevation analysis
💡 Example (GIS Practical):
Using QGIS, students can derive a slope or aspect map from a DEM raster using spatial analysis tools.
📍 Use: Derived maps are used for hydrological modeling, terrain analysis, and land-use classification.
🌾 3️⃣ Thematic Map Compilation
Thematic maps focus on a specific theme or topic — such as population density, rainfall, soil type, or land use.
These maps communicate relationships between geography and attributes.
Elements of a Thematic Map:
- Base layer (for reference)
- Thematic symbols or colors representing data values
- Legend explaining categories
- Scale, title, north arrow, and data source
📊 Example:
- Land Use Map of Nepal showing agriculture, forest, and settlement zones
- Population Density Map based on census data
- Rainfall Distribution Map using meteorological data
🎓 In GIS software: thematic maps are often generated by symbolizing attribute fields in a vector or raster dataset.
📍 Use: For planning, environmental studies, and statistical visualization.
🧠 Real-World Illustration: Nepal’s Mapping Ecosystem
| Map Type | Produced By | Example Scale | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Map | Survey Department | 1:25,000 | Topographic reference |
| Derived Map | Survey/GIS Division | Variable | Slope, drainage, DEM |
| Thematic Map | CBS, ICIMOD, NGOs | 1:100,000 – 1:1,000,000 | Population, land cover, climate |
These layers are often combined within a GIS environment to create comprehensive spatial databases used by planners, engineers, and researchers.
🧪 Practical Exercises
1️⃣ Identify Base, Derived, and Thematic maps from Nepal’s map library (or online).
2️⃣ Practice compiling a base map from existing survey sheets.
3️⃣ Create a thematic map in QGIS showing population density or forest area.
4️⃣ Observe map compilation workflow used by Survey Department of Nepal.
🧩 Key Takeaways
✅ Map compilation is the backbone of cartography.
✅ Base maps provide geographic reference; derived maps transform data; thematic maps communicate ideas.
✅ Nepal’s Survey Department uses MUTM projection for all national base maps.
✅ Combining all three branches creates complete spatial understanding.
📂 Download Free PDF Notes – Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography
Perfect for:
✅ Exam revision before CTEVT tests
✅ Practical lab preparation
✅ Reference for GIS project mapping
🔽 [Download Notes – Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography (PDF)]
🧮 Practice Questions for Students
🧾 Short Questions
- What is map compilation?
- Define base map and derived map.
- What is a thematic map?
- Why are base maps important in GIS?
- Give one example of a derived map.
📚 Long/Analytical Questions
- Explain the process of map compilation in detail.
- Differentiate between base, derived, and thematic maps with examples.
- Describe the importance of map compilation in cartographic workflow.
- Write notes on: (a) Base Map, (b) Derived Map, (c) Thematic Map.
- Discuss how base maps are prepared and used in Nepal’s Survey Department.
💡 Study Tips to Master Chapter 3
🔹 Draw a diagram showing Base → Derived → Thematic map hierarchy.
🔹 Practice identifying which branch a given map belongs to.
🔹 Use Survey Department maps to understand real Nepalese mapping standards.
🔹 Explore QGIS “Raster Calculator” and “Symbology” tools for creating derived and thematic maps.
🔹 Review past CTEVT exam questions — e.g., “Explain the difference between base and derived maps with examples.”
🎯 Lessons Learned from Chapter 3
✅ Understand what map compilation means.
✅ Identify and differentiate the three main branches of cartography.
✅ Relate traditional compilation methods to digital GIS techniques.
✅ Apply concepts in real-world projects and NEC preparation.
📘 Explore More from Cartography
📚 Chapter 1: Introduction – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 2: Map – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 3: Branches of Cartography – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 4: Graphic Variables – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 5: Map Projection – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 6: Map Sheet Numbering – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 7: Generalization – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 8: Relief Representation – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 9: Color – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 10: Digital Cartography – Download PDF
📚 Chapter 11: Map Reproduction – Download PDF
🎥 Watch the Full Chapter 3 Video
👉 [Click Here to Watch on YouTube]
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