What is the primary discipline focused on creating maps and spatial representations?

Cartography is the primary discipline dedicated to the creation of maps and spatial representations. This field encompasses not only the technical aspects of map-making, such as design, symbolization, and layout, but also the theoretical and artistic components that influence how space and geographical information are visually communicated.

At its core, cartography involves understanding and applying principles of visual communication to represent spatial relationships effectively. Cartographers assess the purpose of a map, the audience it is intended for, and the type of data being represented to make decisions about what elements to include and how to present them. This requires a blend of knowledge about geographic information systems and artistic skills to create effective and visually appealing maps.

While related fields like geospatial analysis, spatial data management, and remote sensing certainly contribute to the overall understanding and utilization of geographic data, they do not focus specifically on map-making. Geospatial analysis deals more with the interpretation and analysis of spatial data to uncover patterns and relationships, spatial data management concerns the organization and storage of such data, and remote sensing involves capturing data from satellite or aerial sensors. Each of these has its unique contributions but does not serve as the primary discipline for creating maps.