Web cartography can be considered a trend in cartography. However there are other recent trends that affect cartography and the way web cartography is developing. These have to do with the impact of visualisation and the need for interactivity and dynamics as well as the widespread use of geographical information systems resulting in many more maps being produced by many more people. In the context of geospatial data handling, the cartographic visualisation process is considered to be the translation or conversion of geospatial data from a database into map-like products. This process is guided by the saying "How do I say what to whom, and is it effective?"
The above developments have given the word visualisation an enhanced meaning. According to the dictionary, it means 'make visible' and it can be argued that this has always been the business of cartographers. However, progress in other disciplines has linked the word to more specific ways in which modern computer technology can facilitate the process of 'making visible' in real time. This results in visualisation for presentation and exploration. Presentation fits into the traditional realm of cartography, where the cartographer works on known geospatial data and creates communicative maps. These maps are often created for multiple uses. Exploration, however, often involves a discipline expert creating maps while dealing with unknown data. These maps are generally for a single purpose, expedient in the expert's attempt to solve a problem. While dealing with the data, the expert should be able to rely on cartographic expertise, provided by the software or some other means.
In the past cartography played an important role in the exploration of the world. Maps were used to chart unknown territories. A new phase in mapping the unknown has recently started. This does not refer to the cartographic or geographic exploration discussed in the previous paragraph. It deals with the mapping of cyberspace.

Updating in progress (April 17, 2002)