地图学是一门古老的科学,发展到二十世纪50年代,已经成为一个巨大的科学体系。随着社会生产需耍、科学发展与技术进步,地图以多种多样的形式,更广泛地为经济、文化、国防以及其他科学的发展服务。

1. Map-making has a long history. Its scope under-went a thorough change in the middle of the 20th century and at present, may be divided into the following branches:- 1) The theoretical study and technical aspects of maps; 2) The mathematical and geographyical analysis of maps and representation of surface phenomena on the map; 3) The study on improving the methods and equipments of preparing maps; 4) The historical research of cartography and the classification of maps.