One important part of the definition is the point that maps are drawn to scale. This means that there is a relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding horizontal distance on the earth's surface.
The fact that maps are flat (two-dimensional) is also significant. The earth, obviously, is not. Therefore, to depict a significant portion of the earth on a two-dimensional plane poses a problem. "Projection" refers to the way in which the spherical surface of the earth has been depicted in two dimensions.
Cartographers are people who make maps. Because of the importance of maps to geographers, there is a close relationship between cartography and the discipline of geography.
