Treatment of the Cartographic Line

Traditionally, cartographic generalization has been considered in the context of eliminating map detail. In recent situations, however, details have been introduced to enhance the map message, as an aid in visual recognition. Enhancements are increasingly prevalent in displays of computer-generated lines, surfaces, and landscapes: some of the better known examples of this technique are fractal representations. The justification cited for this enhancement centers on improving the efficiency with which such displays may be constructed; the arguments against it focus on the visual characteristics which a map reader expects to see. A reconsideration of trends in cartographic research is presented, to explain how the change in generalization from 'elimination' to 'enhancement' has developed.