3D Cartography

3D Cartography is a developing area of cartographic design that has entered the mainstream through popular software programs, like Google Earth. 3D Cartography has unique benefits that cannot be replicated via traditional cartographic design. First, 3D Cartography provides a more detailed representation of an area. Google Earth maps display the map from every angle, and more importantly, can be zoomed as far/close away as the map viewer desires. Second, 3D Cartography provides better context for the map viewer. Because Google Earth, and other software programs, use satellite imagery, the map viewer is able to see the location of a city, state, country relative to the rest of the world with greater ease and greater accuracy. Traditional cartographic maps utilize projections that provide accuracy for one area at the expense of an area. 3D Cartography eliminates this problem, because the location is being projected in its original form.

The image above is a screen capture from Google Earth’s 3D imaging database. The image is a view of Manhattan in New York City. Clearly, Google Earth, and other 3D Cartographic programs, are superior in their unique ability to create a sense of place in their imagery. This image, for instance, depicts the buildings, road systems, and water bodies of Manhattan. Being able to see these features in 3D allows the map viewer to gain a sense of what locales are like in reality.