OMFG!!! A QUIZ!?

What are the skills necessary to become a good cartographer?

Well Dr. Rood, the cartographer needs to be a perfectionist, not settling for second best work or a crappy final project. They need to accurately display what is on the land there (in the area being mapped) with symbols that make sense and are recognizable by all. They need to have great math skills, as all of the drawing will take place under a scale. It needs to be understandable, so weird writing or fonts for labels and the legend is a bad idea. Also, a good cartographer needs to ensure that the map is actually what is the best orientation. For instance, if the cartographer is drawing sea navigational charts, they need to be done in a Mercator or similar style, and not the orange peel variety or Robinson projection. Also, it needs to have north at the top of the map. For crying out loud, it gets old fast when the map you're looking at is actually facing east or something, so your orientation is all wrong. For example, you're lost in the woods and trying to go north, so you follow a map that is actually oriented an unfamiliar way (unbeknownst to you). You are not gonna be happy when you get lost and need a rescue team because some idiot cartographer oriented his map wrong or put landmarks in the wrong place!!! Also, no colors that are insane (look below). That will piss people off, as well as make you look like a fool, rookie cartographer. Just go learn GIS, because it's fun and easier, and you'll look better.

Distinguish between the elements that result in a "good map" vs. a "bad map"!!!

Bad maps suck. Honestly, they really do. Here are some really bad examples:
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/2/2c/New_World_Map.JPG - bad legend, bad landmarks, makes no sense, and might be the worst map of all time.
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/b/bc/America_Map.JPG - horrible color scheme, the ideas are ridiculous, yet it makes me laugh.
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/8/83/Slough_fake.JPG - do i even need to explain this one?
These show some examples of bad characteristics that will destroy a cartographer's reputation as well as make the map a laughingstock. For instance, the compass rose is mistaken or oriented the wrong way. The legend is a mess, unreadable, or completely gone from the map. The names, places, and landmarks are familiar, but in completely the wrong places. There is no distinction between roads vs rivers, lakes vs states, etc. Also, maps that have no title are bad, because when you're lost, you need to know if you're going the right way or are even in the right place to begin with. Also, the map needs to distinct with the colors to show differences, but not ugly and make you want to put your eyes out like Oedipus instead of following a map.
Good maps actually beat all of these, along with being in pristine condition. GIS software could be used to make everything on target. ALSO, FIXING ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED THINGS FOR A BAD MAP IS A GOOD IDEA. There isn't much beyond that. Making it recognizable and easy on the eyes will help you out. Good maps are all over the place, and they are the most accurate ones.
Here are some good maps:
http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/maps/imposed.jpg - this is a good map that accurately shows what it says it is.
http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/835641802_ef422b12cf_b1.jpg - this map is freakin' sweet. It is a novel concept, and does simply what it says it will, as well as having a muted color scheme that works.
Hopefully you see what I mean with these good versus bad maps, and it all makes sense. If it doesn't or you just want to comment, leave a comment on my ramblings. Thanks.

By the way, this is the wrong Atlas.<--- (click the word!)