Cartography in the 21th Century

Abstract

Maps have a thorough and indispensable role as one of the basis of our civilization. The majority of human activities connected with space can hardly be realized without adequate cartographic presentations. In the past, many people who had any contact with maps were only users. Today, however, especially with larger and larger possibilities of interactivity on web, so called democratisation of cartography encourages larger and larger number of people to use their cartographic possibilities to full extent. The paper reminds of greater and greater importance of the data obtained by means of remote sensing in the production of various cartographic presentations. It also refers to the present situation in the production of paper and multimedia (electronic) maps and to the importance of GPS, GIS, Internet and LBS (Location Based Services) in modern cartography.