Chorography (from khŏros; "place" + -graphein, "writing") is a term deriving from the writings of the ancient geographer Ptolemy. In his text of the Geographia (second century CE), Ptolemy writes that geography is the study of the entire world or large sections or countries of it, while chorography is the study of its smaller parts--provinces, regions, cities, or ports. Ptolemy implicitly would include the making of views (not simply maps of small regions) in this category, since he claims that chorography requires the skills of a draftsman or artist rather than those of a scientist, which are needed for the practice of geography.
The term chorography fell out of use after the Renaissance as city views and maps became more and more sophisticated and required a set of skills that required not only skilled draftsmanship but also some knowledge of scientific surveying. Its use was revived by Ferdinand von Richthofen, uncle of Manfred von Richthofen (aka the "Red Baron").[1]
CHOROGRAPHY. (1) (From the Gr. Xwpa, a tract of country, and ypacPav, to write), a description or delineation on a map of a district or tract of country; it is to be distinguished from "geography" and "topography," which treat of the earth as a whole and of particular places respectively. The word is common in old geographical treatises, but is now superseded by the wider use of "topography." (2) (From the Gr. Xopos, dance), the art of dancing, or a system of notation to indicate the steps and movements in dancing.
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Categories: CHE-CHR
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