Quo vadis classic cartosemiotics & quo vadis theoretical cartography?

Abstract

This analytical-critical article deals with developments and trends in theoretical cartography during the last twenty years. Selected activities of the Commission on Theoretical Cartography (1999-2011) of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) and the relationship between Bertin´s graphic semiotics and multimedia metacartosemiotics are examined. Some paradoxes in modern cartography are discussed. A new theoretical conception, meta-cartosemiotics, is proposed. Accumulation of cartosemiotics and map-language related knowledge are presented based on selected monographic works.