At the beginning of the 21st century, the development of global satellite navigation systems and new requirements for accuracy of data and cartometric results led to the creation of entirely new ways of working with the geographic space not tied to the traditional planar map display.

At the end of the 20th century aerial photography, satellite imagery and remote sensing enabled efficient, accurate methods of mapping physical features, such as coastlines, roads, buildings, drainage basins, and the topography. Advances in digital technology made another revolution in cartography. Availability of computers and peripherals such as monitors, plotters, printers, scanners, along with the creation of computer programs and systems for imaging, image processing, spatial analysis, significantly expanded the possibilities of mapping.