What is the practice of making maps known as?

The practice of making maps is referred to as cartography. Cartography encompasses not only the creation of maps but also the art and science of representing geographic information in a visual format. It involves the design and construction of maps to effectively communicate spatial information, including physical features, political boundaries, and various types of data.

Cartography combines elements of geography, design, and technology to ensure that the maps are both informative and visually appealing. It is important in various fields, including urban planning, environmental studies, and navigation.

In contrast, topography focuses more specifically on the detailed and precise representation of terrain features, such as elevation and relief, rather than the broader principles of map-making employed in cartography. Geology deals primarily with the study of the Earth’s materials, processes, and history, and geomatics is a broader field that encompasses the collection, analysis, and interpretation of geographic data, including but not limited to cartographic practices. While related, these fields serve different purposes and should not be confused with the specific discipline of map-making known as cartography.