Importance of Cartography Science

To begin with, I would like to say that the map serves as a communication system. This is due to the fact that for a map to serve as a communication system, it should be able to meet and satisfy the requirements of a communication system which is in a systematic order. thus the source which is the real world where the details of the map was gathered and the cartographic concept of it for example population distributions and its followed by a channel where the user will be able to access the details gathered which is visible on the map and the final line is the recipient who is the end user decodes the information gathered on the map.

With this we can say the map is a communication system because it shows the features such as relief, drainage and locations on the map that gives information to the reader of the map for easy convenience.
Maps can be classified according to its scale and communication system.

To begin with, due to the features on this map of Ghana, this map can be termed as a large scale map (Topographical map).
The first reason for this map to be termed as a topographical map is due to its large scale. Topographical or large scale maps have a scale of 1:50,000 and this map meets this requirements.
Also, there are comparatively little reduction involved on the features of the map such as the buildings and their proportions are shown with significant sizes.

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Moreover, the map is detailed with accurate presentation of features even though it only represents a little allocation of the country. Hydrographic, cultural, relief and vegetation features are represented with detailed information provided on the features of the map.
Furthermore, the map has the features of a topographical map in the sense that there is a use of elevation contours to display the shape of the area with the sense that high elevated areas are mapped with compact contours which signifies the steepness and the condition of the area while widely apart contours show lowlands.
With these features above, it shows that this Ghana map is a large scale map (Topographical map) because it meets the criteria of a topographical map.

1. Mobility and navigational functions
2. Visualization of the unseen
3. Recording and storing of spatial information
4. Boundaries and functions of features.

Firstly, the map performs the mobility and navigational functions in the sense that it shows the footpaths and rivers and since it is a topographical map it can guide the user to move around easily. This serves as an assistance for the user to move around easily around the area represented on the map. It will help the user to know the accessible routes likes roads, footpaths and other areas that has no routes to avoid been lost. for example, Mr. Annan leaving at Asaaman can use the map find his way to Jamasi by taking the class two road which runs from Asaaman in the extreme south eastern part of Agona in the south west and continue his journey by taking the first class road that runs through Agona and move upwards to Jamasi in the north western part of the area.
Secondly, the map serves as visual platform for the non-material things to be visible on the map. Non-material things such as contour lines which determines the profile of the land such as its steepness or know whether it is a lowland cannot be seen with the naked eye on the land. So with the map it will aid us to know our whereabouts.
Thirdly, the maps performs functions of recording and the storing of the spatial information of the area. From this map the user can access the spatial information of the area and will be able to see clearly the layout and position of everything in the area as a result of the information been recorded and stored on the map. This can help ensure easy access to some various places in the area. For example is when someone wants to go Musabuo at the Northern part of the area which is on the map, he or she will have an easy access to the place due to the information being recorded on the map.
Lastly, the map is used to show the boundaries and functions of certain features like villages, towns, forests, markets etc. in relation to boundaries, the map clearly defines the features such as cities, town, water boundaries, major cities, elevations, etc. this helps the user to know the areal extent of every feature of the place on the map. An example is the Onguan forest boundary which is clearly defined on the map.
Plateau, ridge, valleys, pass, hill, mountain, gap, gorge, escarpment.
2 spot heights which are 1035ft and 1680ft.
The highest spot height is 1680ft because it is located amongst ranges of highlands with steep slopes surrounded by almost all the highest contour lines.
The drainage system of the map is a river which is indicated with a straight blue line with the aid of the key of the map. The drainage pattern of the map authenticate all the four noted patterns which are radial, dendritic, trellis and parallel.
To begin with, some portions of the southern part of the map take up the parallel pattern of flow where the tributaries move parallel to each other. Like the river which flows from the Onguan forest reserve through Kwatenbuo and Kyekyewere down Apa to join the Aboasu river.
Also, the rivers which flow from the central western part of the map to the south eastern part has a dendritic pattern of flow. The tributaries of the main river join at an acute angle.
Moreover, there is a radial pattern of flow in the top right hand corner of the map (NorthEastern) where the rivers flow off a mountain to the bottom of the slope in all directions.
Lastly, at the South Eastern part of the map, the trellis pattern is visible where tributaries are joining the main rivers almost at right angles. River Kumkum been the main river in the southern part on the map, has almost its tributaries joining it at almost right angles.
To begin with, the relationship between the drainage and the vegetation of the map is that the drainage systems (rivers) provides the vegetation with adequate amount of water and nutrients to aid the vegetation to flourish. This is why all of the vegetation like the forest reserve and the agricultural located next to rivers. This vegetation also serves as a cover for the river protecting it from drying up due to direct sunlight.
Also, the relationship between relief and the drainage is that the rivers get their source of water from the mountains and other higher elevations in the north eastern part. Also their pattern and velocity is determined by the relief of the terrain.
Moreover, the relationship between the relief and the vegetation is that there are more vegetation cover on the highland areas than the low lands. Due to certain reasons some mountainous areas record high amount of rainfall which is very necessary for vegetation growth. Human activities such as farming, settlements, transportation network leads the clearing of the forest are not easily established in higher elevated areas as compared to lower lying areas. The vegetation cover in the forest reserve helps to prevent soil erosion and surface run off in the highland areas.
The above are some highlighted relationships between the natural features on the map such as relief and drainage relationship, relief and vegetation and also vegetation and drainage.