Introduction
The importance of cartography is lost on many people. However, this lack of appreciation for the practice is a testament to the accomplishments that cartographers throughout the ages have achieved. The wide availability of maps is one of the reasons we take them for granted. But, imagine, if you would, being stuck in a strange city, without much knowledge of where you should go. It is at that point that a map would be of great significance.
Digital Age and Mapping
The digital age has had a major impact on all walks of life, from business to entertainment. For example, the gambling industry has benefited greatly from the internet. Not only can you play your favorite casino games now, but you can also enhance your chances of winning through various casino bonuses. What many people don’t think about often, though, is that the impact of digital technology extends to maps.
Think about all of those old-school, paper maps, that mark every important place in a city (or country). While a lot of people had no problem at all navigating these maps, there were those who had issues understanding exactly where they are, and where they need to go. That is no longer the case, however, thanks in large part to the internet.
Not only are online maps (Google Maps) a lot easier to navigate, but they are also constantly updating, taking into account recent infrastructure, changes in traffic, and various other data. It is now easier than ever to find your way around, not just foreign cities, but even your own. In this article, we’d like to examine how mapping, especially digital mapping, shapes modern life.
Tourism is Easier Than Ever
We’ve talked at length about how maps make it easier to navigate in foreign cities. The first place where most people’s minds would go to after a sentence like that is tourism. Indeed, tourism is easier than ever in the 21st century. Not just because tourist agencies and booking apps have made planning a trip simple and convenient, but also because online Map services make it possible to easily navigate the city you’ve visited.
Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In fact, it holds the number one spot, attracting tourists from the USA, Asia, and all over Europe. However, the Republic of France is an old nation, decorated by a mixture of medieval, gothic, and modern buildings. It is easy to get lost while admiring the beauty of the country. The good news is that a lot of tourists are now able to turn on their phone, and very easily find out where they are and where they need to go, even if they’ve never visited Paris before.
What is even better about mapping one of the most popular cities, is that tourists who’ve been once before, and seen all the sights, can now find some local spots, that only the Parisians are aware of. For tourists who want to mingle with the local population, rather than experience the sights that most are aware of, maps of the local hotspots are a godsend. Unlike the popular sights, these destinations may be harder to find for tourists, which is why online maps are such an important tool for any traveler.
Maps Can Help with Exercise
Believe it or not, maps are not just navigation tools in the 21st century. They can also play a huge role in helping people get on track with fitness and health, and are even used by professionals in an industry that is worth billions. We are of course referencing health and fitness professionals, who use GPS technology to create routes and routines for different forms of exercise.
Running (or jogging) routes are the most obvious way in which this manifests. There are a ton of apps that can help you plan out the best jogging or running routes, depending on what you are looking to accomplish and where you live. These apps rely on maps and GPS to accomplish their function. Jogging is one of the most popular exercises in the world, and maps are just one of the tools that make it easier.
But, not everyone is a fan of running or jogging. Some people prefer to go out in nature, and experience an excellent hike. However, when hiking, the risk of getting lost is higher, especially when hiking through dangerous routes. That is why mapping out the safest routes is always a good idea. Even then, if someone does end up getting lost, using a smartphone’s GPS signal is one of the best ways to find them.
Maps Contribute to Social Life
The one thing that most people don’t think of maps as is a tool for building a strong social life. Yet, that is one of the most popular ways in which maps are used in the 21st century. Social media platforms have made long-distance relationships a lot more common than ever. We aren’t referencing romantic relationships alone, but also friendships and familial bonds as well.
Visiting these friends who are a city, or even a country away can be tough, especially when you don’t know how to find your way. But, thanks to maps, these visitations can be easier, and much more frequent. It isn’t just because of the fear of being lost. Maps help with traffic control and planning. In other words, you can plan a trip easier than ever now, in large part thanks to mapping technology.
Some Last Thoughts
We hope that we’ve managed to convince you of the importance that maps play in modern society. Though they may not be the first thing that a lot of people think about when making plans for traveling or meeting up with friends, they are quite important. They can help in certain walks of life that you would never have imagined are tied to maps or even geography. And as satellite technology gets better, our mapping capabilities will almost certainly improve. Just think about how much that will benefit the future.
