Maps are generalized representations since it is clearly impossible to display reality in all its complexity at a reduced scale. Not too surprisingly… - Waldo R. Tobler

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Maps are generalized representations since it is clearly impossible to display reality in all its complexity at a reduced scale. Not too surprisingly, map makers are unable to provide explicit abstract statements about the process of map generalization, but some empirical evidence suggests constancy of information content per map centimeter squared, regardless of map scale.