History of orienteering maps: in the light of the evolution of survey and reproduction techniques

Abstract

ABSTRACT Orienteering maps are perhaps the least familiar map type to cartographers. There are features of orienteering maps that are useful to know in many ways, and they are an excellent way to illustrate in higher education how user needs influence the symbology of a map. The development of cartography over the last 100–120 years has considerably influenced the development of orienteering maps, and the development of surveying and printing technologies has also influenced this procedure. The unique and internationally standardised map specification of orienteering maps is based on topographic maps, but it is of paramount importance that they are perfectly adapted to the needs of orienteers if these maps are made by the orienteers themselves, the users. In the digital age, orienteers have been particularly innovative in implementing new survey and reproduction technologies as quickly as possible.