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Cartographer
Creates maps — from traditional paper maps to satellite-based digital mapping systems.
Did you know?
By 2020, Google Maps was used by over one billion people every month, relying on modern mapmakers and huge amounts of geographic data.
How subjects help
- Geography: Decide which roads, rivers and landmarks a map should show for the people using it.
- Mathematics: Use scale and grid coordinates so distances on the map match the real world.
- Computer Science: Turn satellite images and survey data into digital maps people can zoom around.
- Art & Design: Choose colours, symbols and labels that make a busy map easy to read.
A famous name
Gerardus Mercator: Flemish mapmaker whose 1569 world map projection is still used for navigation and web maps.
Try it yourself: Draw your room to scale
- Measure the length and width of your room, then the big furniture.
- Choose a scale, like 1 square for every 10 centimetres.
- Draw the room and furniture using your scale.
- Plan a new layout on paper. Would the bed really fit by the window?
Carpenters, electricians, architects and interior designers measure twice and plan on paper before anything moves.
Also try: Which day is riskiest on the slopes?.
Known for it in
USA, UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany