THE CONCEPT OF CARTOGRAPHY, DEFINITIONS FROM 1960 TO 2000

From the 1940s to 2000, reflecting on the conceptual transformations in the field and their relationship with technological advancements. Initially, the UN provided the definition of Cartography, but from 1965 onwards, the ICA assumed this responsibility. Over the span of 40 years, these definitions evolved considerably. In 1992, Fraser Taylor, as the president of the ICA, introduced a significant update by incorporating the term "geoinformation" into the definition. This modification broadened the scope of Cartography to include other forms of spatial representation. However, in the late 1990s, there was a regression when the ICA simplified the definition of Cartography, restricting it to the study of maps. This dynamic illustrates that the evolution of scientific debates does not always follow a linear trajectory, often oscillating between advancements and regressions. Consequently, it is concluded that ongoing conceptual debates around the definition of Cartography are essential to keep pace with emerging technological and theoretical innovations in the field. Keywords: Epistemology. International Cartographic Association. History of Cartography.