map archive
[mæp ˈɑːrkaɪv]
nounpl: map archives
arquivo de mapas
1. A collection or repository of maps, typically organized and preserved for historical, geographical, or administrative purposes
The Library of Congress maintains one of the largest map archives in the world.
A Biblioteca do Congresso mantém um dos maiores arquivos de mapas do mundo.
2. A digital or physical storage system containing historical or contemporary cartographic materials
Researchers consulted the university's map archive to study how city boundaries changed over time.
Os pesquisadores consultaram o arquivo de mapas da universidade para estudar como os limites da cidade mudaram ao longo do tempo.
3. In digital contexts, a file or database containing geospatial data and cartographic representations
The GIS department backed up all files to the map archive server.
O departamento de SIG fez backup de todos os arquivos no servidor do arquivo de mapas.
Map archives are particularly important in Brazil and Portugal due to their colonial histories. Many Brazilian institutions maintain extensive map archives documenting territorial expansion and geographic changes. In the USA, institutions like the Library of Congress and National Archives house significant map collections used for historical, legal, and educational purposes. The term has gained prominence with the rise of digital humanities and GIS technologies.
Related Idioms & Phrases
to consult the map archive
to digitize a map archive
to preserve map archives for posterity
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