Mapping: A Critical Introduction to Cartography and GIS
"Mapping: A Critical Introduction to Cartography and GIS" by Jeremy W. Crampton is a comprehensive analysis of the history, politics, and culture of cartography and geographic information systems (GIS). The book is organized into 13 chapters, each of which covers a different aspect of mapping.
In the first chapter, Crampton argues that maps are not neutral, objective representations of reality, but rather they are products of social and political forces that shape their production and use.
In Chapter 2, he introduces the concept of critique and its relevance to mapping, and argues that critical cartography and GIS can provide a means to challenge dominant mapping practices and develop more socially just approaches to mapping.
In Chapter 3, Crampton examines the impact of new spatial media and map mashups on mapping practices, while
Chapter 4 provides a detailed explanation of critical cartography and GIS, and its relationship to power and knowledge.
Chapter 5 explores the historical development of scientific mapping and its relationship to colonialism and imperialism.
Chapter 6 examines the political economy of cartography, and how maps are used to govern and control people and resources.
Chapter 7 provides a critical analysis of the work of influential cartographers such as Harley, Gall, and Peters, and explores their contributions to the history of cartography.
Chapter 8 looks at the future of GIS and mapping after critique, and suggests that there is a need for a new critical approach to GIS that addresses the limitations of existing approaches.
Chapter 9 explores the use of maps for surveillance and spying, while
Chapter 10 examines the relationship between mapping and virtual worlds.
Chapter 11 focuses on the cartographic construction of race and identity, and how maps have been used to perpetuate racial and social hierarchies.
Chapter 12 explores the poetics of space, and how maps can be used as artistic and imaginative tools. The book concludes with an epilogue that reflects on the implications of the book's arguments and suggests areas for future research.
Overall, "Mapping: A Critical Introduction to Cartography and GIS" provides a valuable and thought-provoking analysis of the political, social, and cultural dimensions of mapping. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history and future of mapping, as well as those concerned with issues of power and representation in society.
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