Cartography is the name of the subject which is associated with the making of maps. From the ancient times many have tried to make a proper map of the world. Reading about these ancient map makers is very interesting. It was a time when no satellite was there to take photographs of this planet from the space. Therefore most of the maps were based upon researches and assumptions.
The first map of the world has been discovered from an Anatolian city which is known as Catal Huyuk. As far as it can be known, this map was made in the 7th millennium before the birth of Jesus Christ. This earliest map showed mainly the directions but no clarification was present regarding the countries. 
Examples of early cartography from India are available from the age of Ramayana. Indians were aware of the importance of the Pole Star as an indication of a fixed direction. From the 15th century, cartography became comparatively easier with the inventions of compass, telescope and sextant. The surveying techniques also improved a lot helping the explorers to get authentic idea about the maps of the various places.
Today there are different types of maps of the world based on different themes. Therefore these maps are known as thematic maps. Students and researchers depend on these thematic maps more than the general ones. There are also topographic maps which have become very popular in the recent days.