What is a cartographer?

Question:my stupid friend said it is an aboriginal who paints ancestors dreams into maps...wtf? i'm sure its not that, does anyone know what it is?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: my stupid friend said it is an aboriginal who paints ancestors dreams into maps...wtf? i'm sure its not that, does anyone know what it is?

It is a person who draws maps. Many surveyors of America were also cartographers too. If you have ever looked at a map of the USA, World countries, road maps, state maps, etc you are looking at the work of a cartographer. Will have distances, road and other signs on it, etc.

Has NOTHING to do with dreams.

Someone that makes maps :)

Er, no. It does mean someone who makes maps, like your basic road atlas, globe, etc.

Do a quick google search; you'll gets loads of info there.

Someone who makes maps.
Cartographer.
Job description
A cartographer is involved with the scientific, technological and artistic aspects of developing and producing maps and cartographic information. Cartographers present complex information as diagrams, charts and spreadsheets, as well as in the form of conventional maps. Geographical information systems (GIS) and digital-mapping techniques now dominate the role.

Maps and detailed geographical information are needed for a range of purposes, from everyday use by individuals to large-scale industrial development.

Cartographers work within a variety of areas, including publishing, government, surveying and conservation. The role varies widely from the development and design of geographical information to more strategic and technical work.

Map Maker

A cartographer is indeed a person who makes maps - but while aboriginals may paint ancestors dreams into maps, most cartographers make maps of the world, of countries, of counties, of regions, of oceans, and islands - in short, they stick to recording known geographical features.

A map maker

Yup...map maker it is.

Literally, "map writer", from carto, map, grapher, writer.

map maker