L’analyse des systèmes naturels globaux est divisée selon les organismes régionaux, nationaux et internationaux. Leurs travaux sont encadrés par une gestion scientifique et juridique notamment par des directives tel que la DCE ou INSPIRE, basée sur la communication. La comparaison des données d’origines différentes et sans prise en compte des frontières n’est possible qu’à l’aide d’une harmonisation fondée sur les normes internationales. La carte est à ce titre un outil de transmission de l’information organisée à partir des bases de données.Cette thèse propose une analyse sémiologique de la représentation cartographique qui traite de la thématique de la gestion de l’eau dans un cadre européen. Il s’agit de comprendre et d’interpréter la mise en oeuvre des processus de communication basés sur les cartes ; la Hongrie et la France sont prises comme exemple.L’harmonisation est nécessaire mais en même temps très difficile à mettre en place au sein d’un monde où les disparités sont très grandes. Les compromis nécessaires à l'harmonisation et à l'uniformisation du langage cartographique impliquent des concessions de la part des acteurs mais aussi des producteurs de cartes.L’importance des innovations dans la visualisation cartographique aboutissant à une meilleure communication n’est pas encore reconnue à l’heure actuelle. Le public, quel qu’il soit, est souvent habitué à une représentation traditionnelle ; pourtant les effets que l’on peut ajouter à une carte, fruits de l’innovation technologique, ouvrent de nouveaux horizons pour la cartographie et peuvent servir de nouvelles bases au raisonnement dans la prise de décisions. / Water, which is one of our most important natural resources, stops at neither political nor artificial boundaries. This is why it is necessary to treat it globally instead of the present situation, where water is managed nationally and regionally. A possible solution for this is an international unified water management system, and effective information is a key requirement for this to happen. Maps contain visual information which is independent of language, and map visualization is an important tool of communication. Therefore I have been comparing two European Union countries (France and Hungary) to understand the processes of map communication in relation to EU regulations. The first objective of my research has been the examination of how far the harmonization of map communication has been achieved in the European directives, particularly concerning water-related directives. Secondly, to the extent that harmonization has not occurred, I have investigated into the reasons why this has happened and whether there are any solutions to this issue. Effectiveness of map-based communication is closely related to uniform data systematization. This is why I have endeavored to discover and develop a harmonizationhelping system for visualization. Finally, I have examined whether, in this legally-regulated research environment, there is the possibility of innovative rather than traditional map representations. As results I gave an overview of the European directives and projects, and I examined the relations between them. At the same time I determined the role of the cartographer concerning the directives. I created an examining system based on the rules of the French and Hungarian thematic cartography. I made certain that the directives are necessary but not sufficient conditions of harmonized map communication. The necessary condition of this is a uniform and harmonized system of thematic data. I verified that the maps created by existing processes do not meet the claims of the three different user circles aimed at by the WFD. I created my own communicative model for maps associated with water after studying Robinson-Petchenik-and Kolácný’s communicative models. I took into consideration every element of map-forming, which may have an influence on the decision made based on the map. I developed innovative prototypes for certain types of WFD maps to the general public and decision-makers. / Elsisorban szeretnék köszönetet mondani témavezetiimnek Philippe Quodverte-nek és José Jesús Reyes Nunez-nek, akik a doktori kezdetétil tanácsaikkal folyamatosan segítettek. Philippe Quodverte-nek külön szeretném megköszönni, hogy Erasmusos orléans-i tartózkodásom után három évvel újbóli támogatásáról biztosított és elvállalta a doktori témám vezetését, illetve azt a türelmet, amivel segített a francia doktori kutatásra vonatkozó eliírások és térképészeti hagyományok elsajátításában. Nagyon élveztem a vele való beszélgetéseket és térképészeti eszmecseréinket. Emellett köszönettel tartozom Zentai Lászlónak és Verebiné Fehér Katalinnak a nekem nyújtott segítségükért és hasznos tanácsaikért, illetve az ELTE Térképtudományi és Geoinformatikai Tanszék minden munkatársának volt tanáraimnak, akik támogatásával jutothattam el a doktoriig. Továbbá köszönöm Guillame Giroir-nak, a Földrajzi Doktori Iskola (CEDETE) vezetijének, hogy befogadott csapatába, és részese lehetek a CEDETE életének. Köszönet az Orléans-i Egyetemen kollégáimnak Anabelle Mas-nak, Stéphane Grivel-nek, Frank Guéritnek és Bertrand Sajaloli-nak, akik tanácsaikkal támogattak és segítették munkámat. Külön köszönet Matthieu Lee-nek, a CEDETE térképészének, aki észrevételeivel segítette a doktoriban bemutatott térképek elkészítését. Külön szeretném megköszönni mindazoknak, akik magyar és francia részril segítettek a Víz Keretirányelv és az INSPIRE végrehajtásának megismerésében, illetve az adatok elérésében, azaz név szerint François Robida (BRGM), Janik Michon (ONEMA), Jelinek Gabriella (Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium), Tahy Ágnes (VKKI). Köszönettel tartozom Vikor Zsuzsának a dolgozat nyelvhelyességének ellenirzéséért. Köszönöm emellett családomnak, szüleimnek, nagyszüleimnek és testvéremnek, hogy bátorítottak és mellettem álltak. Nem utolsó sorban szeretném megköszönni doktorandusz társaimnak, Anh Tu-nak, Cristina-nak, Sylvain-nak, Eszternek, és barátaimnak, Virgine-nek Anabella-nak, Alexandranak, Chloë-nak és Dávidnak, hogy a nehéz pillanatokban segítettek és jó tanácsokkal láttak el. Külön köszönet Virginie Anne-nak a francia összefoglaló nyelvhelyességének ellenirzéséért és baráti támogatásáért.

Neste trabalho procura-se discutir a linguagem cartográfica para o ensino-aprendizagem da disciplina de Geografia. Nesse sentido entende-se que a Cartografia é uma linguagem visual, que deve estar presente nas aulas de Geografia. Ressalta-se que, essa linguagem cartográfica deve ser ensinada desde as séries inicias do segundo ciclo do ensino fundamental. Inclusive, que deve permanecer até o final do ensino médio no currículo escolar, em todas as séries. O objetivo é fazer com que os mapas façam sentido para os alunos, uma vez que, como linguagem que são, possuem um potencial comunicativo relevante no ensino e na aprendizagem. No entanto, para ficar clara a ideia do ensino e da aprendizagem que se espera efetivar, procura-se também trabalhar com autores que discutem o desenvolvimento da psique infantil, o currículo escolar e a escola. A intenção é compreender como ocorre o ensino e a aprendizagem e quais seriam os procedimentos didático-pedagógicos que permitiriam que esse processo se efetivasse nas aulas de Geografia. Nesse sentido foram pensados procedimentos e planos de aulas para o ensino dos conteúdos geográficos por meio do ensino da sintaxe das regras da representação gráfica conforme a Semiologia gráfica de Jacques Bertin. A partir da apreensão da sintaxe das regras da Semiologia Gráfica os alunos poderiam adquirir mais conhecimentos geográficos do que se apenas vissem os mapas temáticos como ilustração de textos. Os alunos apresentariam ganhos cognitivos e maior interesse pela disciplina de Geografia. Adquiririam também conhecimentos sobre a importância e representação dos fluxos e das redes geográficas para uma Cartografia adequada a uma Geografia renovada e perceberiam o potencial das anamorfoses para a representação do espaço geográfico como uma dimensão do social. Trabalha-se, portanto, com a concepção de espaço geográfico segundo a qual o espaço é relativo, produto da sociedade, um componente social. / In this work seeks to discuss the language mapping for teaching and learning the discipline of geography, because it understands that cartography is a visual language that must be present in geography lessons. It should be emphasized, including the need for such maps represent the geographical space as a component of society. From this understanding, we must think how to express graphically the dimension relations issues arising from central to geography such as distance, for example, in favor of school discipline Geography. In this sense it is used as the reference parameter of a desired mapping to be used in education that focuses on the relationships between objects and actions, and thus express the contemporary geographical space. For that, minimally graphical representation of the grammar should be known by students and teachers of this discipline, because it establishes that the maps must reproduce graphically the relationship of diversity, order and proportionality between the geographic objects by visual relationships of the same nature. This grammar structure of the graphic language, and if applied correctly in the construction of the map allows it to transmit the content of the information by viewing the finished map. The goal is to make theme maps make sense to students, in order to pass these students to be critical readers of maps with which we normally encounter. You can not criticize what you do not know. Accordingly, during the didactic and pedagogical procedures that allow the structuring of the cartographic language by students will be able to also develop the language of geography. It is evident that there is an urgent need for new forms of representation that are satisfaction with the new dimensionly. In this sense it has to be through the teaching of grammar syntax of the graphical representation according to Jacques Bertin\'s Semiology of Graphics to reach this goal. It is noteworthy that by observing the procedures suggested students also acquire knowledge about the importance and representation of geographic networks and flows to a Cartography appropriate for a geography that also is renewed. Realize even the potential of anamorphosis to represent the geographical space as a social dimension.

A cartografia e o turismo têm em comum o espaço geográfico como objeto de estudo. Em síntese, abrangem os elementos e aspectos existentes nas paisagens naturais e sociais. O turismo, ao desenvolver-se neste espaço, demanda a organização social, provimentos em infraestruturas e o emprego de apreços financeiros por meio de múltiplos estudos e recursos, entre eles, a ciência cartográfica. As informações contidas nos mapas permitem aos turistas e gestores, uma visão geral do espaço geográfico consumido pelo turismo, desde o processo de pesquisa, projetos, marketing, avaliação e até a efetuação de um possível reordenamento territorial. Em especial nas tarefas de planejamento do turismo, a cartografia temática, observada pela representação gráfica, constitui um instrumental de grande utilidade em muitas concepções das atividades turísticas. Nos mapas direcionados para o turismo aconselha-se adotar a Semiologia Gráfica, com o propósito de evitar interferências na comunicação. Optouse, neste trabalho, por pesquisar o turismo como importante vetor na produção do espaço do município de São Luiz do Paraitinga. Dados e informações sobre aspectos demográficos, econômicos e de infraestruturas foram analisados, com enfoque no patrimônio cultural. Para tanto, ressaltou-se sempre a relevância da prática do turismo nas áreas rurais e naturais. A partir deste levantamento, associada à fundamentação teórica atribuída à cartografia temática e ao turismo, foi possível produzir uma coleção de pertinentes mapas analíticos do território luizense. Através da sobreposição destes, elaborou-se um mapa síntese com delimitação e identificação dos tipos de paisagens. As características das unidades espaciais lucubraram possibilidades de detectar áreas passíveis de potencialidades turísticas e especificar os usufrutos das atividades implantadas. Estes fatos subsidiaram uma proposta preliminar de zoneamento turístico, com o intuito de contribuir para a fruição e planejamento do turismo no município. / Cartography and tourism have in common the geographic space as an object of study. In summary, covering the elements and aspects existing in the natural and social landscapes. Developing tourism demands the social organization, provision in infrastructure and the use of financial resources to increment the tourism activity. To attend this requirement multiple methods and studies are applied, among them, the cartographic science. The information contained in the maps allow tourists and managers an overview of the geographical space consumed by tourism, since the process of research, projects, design, marketing, evaluation and even effecting a possible territorial reorganization. Especially in planning tasks, thematic mapping, observed by graphic representation, is a very useful instrument in many conceptions of tourism activities. Maps specific for tourism should apply the Graphic Semiology and avoid interference in communication. In this work, tourism was studied as a major point in the production of space in São Luiz do Paraitinga. Data, demographic, economic and infrastructure information were examined, focusing on cultural heritage. Also, the role of tourism in rural and natural areas development was analyzed. From this survey, coupled with the theoretical foundation attributed to thematic cartography and tourism, a set of relevant analytical maps of the study area was made. Overlapping and grouping these maps enabled the creation of a synthesis map, delimited and identified by the types of landscape. Thus, through critical viewing, was possible to identify the characteristics of areas appropriated for tourism and to underwrite a preliminary proposal for tourism zoning, with the aim of contributing to the enjoyment and tourism planning in the county.

La gestion du risque d'inondation a évolué d'une approche structurelle à une politique nonstructurelle supportée par des outils graphiques, dont les cartes, présents à toutes les étapes de la gestion du risque d'inondation. Cependant, si elles sont parmi les meilleurs outils pour la représentation, la communication et l'aide à la décision, ces cartes se caractérisent par des lacunes dans leur figuration, notamment en raison d'une faible prise en compte de la maîtrise d'usage lors de leur conception. L'objectif principal de cette recherche est de définir les règles cartographiques spécifiques à différentes catégories d'acteurs directement usagers des cartes lors d'une phase d'évacuation (habitants, décideurs locaux et force de secours) en tenant compte de leurs caractéristiques et de leurs questions afin de produire des cartes plus efficaces pour la gestion de cette étape. Dans cette logique, l'application IMaDeS (Interactive Map Design System) a été développée pour permettre aux destinataires de co-concevoir leurs cartes dont les parangons sont évalués par oculométrie couplée à un questionnaire. / Flood risk management has evolved from a structural approach to a non-structural policy supported by graphical tools (including maps), present at all stages of the flood risk management. However, although they are among the best tools for representation, communication and decision-making, these maps are characterized by gaps in their figuration, particularly because of a weak integration of their use in the design. The main objective of this research is to define the specific mapping rules for different categories of stakeholders who are the end-users of maps during an evacuation (inhabitants, local decision-makers and rescue forces) by using their characteristics and their issues to produce more efficient maps in order to manage evacuation. Toward this goal, the IMaDeS application (Interactive Map Design System) was developed to allow stakeholders to co-build their maps and the most representative templates are evaluated by eye-tracking paired with a questionnaire.

Depuis quelques années, nous assistons à une véritable explosion de la production de données dans de nombreux domaines, comme les réseaux sociaux ou le commerce en ligne. Ce phénomène récent est renforcé par la généralisation des périphériques connectés, dont l'utilisation est devenue aujourd'hui quasi-permanente. Le domaine aéronautique n'échappe pas à cette tendance. En effet, le besoin croissant de données, dicté par l'évolution des systèmes de gestion du trafic aérien et par les événements, donne lieu à une prise de conscience sur leur importance et sur une nouvelle manière de les appréhender, qu'il s'agisse de stockage, de mise à disposition et de valorisation. Les capacités d'hébergement ont été adaptées, et ne constituent pas une difficulté majeure. Celle-ci réside plutôt dans le traitement de l'information et dans l'extraction de connaissances. Dans le cadre du Visual Analytics, discipline émergente née des conséquences des attentats de 2001, cette extraction combine des approches algorithmiques et visuelles, afin de bénéficier simultanément de la flexibilité, de la créativité et de la connaissance humaine, et des capacités de calculs des systèmes informatiques. Ce travail de thèse a porté sur la réalisation de cette combinaison, en laissant à l'homme une position centrale et décisionnelle. D'une part, l'exploration visuelle des données, par l'utilisateur, pilote la génération des règles d'association, qui établissent des relations entre elles. D'autre part, ces règles sont exploitées en configurant automatiquement la visualisation des données concernées par celles-ci, afin de les mettre en valeur. Pour cela, ce processus bidirectionnel entre les données et les règles a été formalisé, puis illustré, à l'aide d'enregistrements de trafic aérien récent, sur la plate-forme Videam que nous avons développée. Celle-ci intègre, dans un environnement modulaire et évolutif, plusieurs briques IHM et algorithmiques, permettant l'exploration interactive des données et des règles d'association, tout en laissant à l'utilisateur la maîtrise globale du processus, notamment en paramétrant et en pilotant les algorithmes. / In the past few years, we have seen a large scale data production in many areas, such as social networks and e-business. This recent phenomenon is enhanced by the widespread use of devices, which are permanently connected. The aeronautical field is also involved in this trend. Indeed, its growing need for data, which is driven by air trafic management systems evolution and by events, leads to a widescale focus on its key role and on new ways to manage it. It deals with storage, availability and exploitation. Data hosting capacity, that has been adapted, is not a major challenge. The issue is now in data processing and knowledge extraction from it. Visual Analytics is an emerging field, stemming from the September 2001 events. It combines automatic and visual approaches, in order to benefit simultaneously from human flexibility, creativity and knowledge, and also from processing capacities of computers. This PhD thesis has focused on this combination, by giving to the operator a centered and decisionmaking role. On the one hand, the visual data exploration drives association rules extraction. They correspond to links between the data. On the other hand, these rules are exploited by automatically con_gurating the visualization of the concerned data, in order to highlight it. To achieve this, a bidirectional process has been formalized, between data and rules. It has been illustrated by air trafic recordings, thanks to the Videam platform, that we have developed. By integrating several HMI and algorithmic applications in a modular and upgradeable environment, it allows interactive exploration of both data and association rules. This is done by giving to human the mastering of the global process, especially by setting and driving algorithms.

A cartografia e o turismo têm em comum o espaço geográfico como objeto de estudo. Em síntese, abrangem os elementos e aspectos existentes nas paisagens naturais e sociais. O turismo, ao desenvolver-se neste espaço, demanda a organização social, provimentos em infraestruturas e o emprego de apreços financeiros por meio de múltiplos estudos e recursos, entre eles, a ciência cartográfica. As informações contidas nos mapas permitem aos turistas e gestores, uma visão geral do espaço geográfico consumido pelo turismo, desde o processo de pesquisa, projetos, marketing, avaliação e até a efetuação de um possível reordenamento territorial. Em especial nas tarefas de planejamento do turismo, a cartografia temática, observada pela representação gráfica, constitui um instrumental de grande utilidade em muitas concepções das atividades turísticas. Nos mapas direcionados para o turismo aconselha-se adotar a Semiologia Gráfica, com o propósito de evitar interferências na comunicação. Optouse, neste trabalho, por pesquisar o turismo como importante vetor na produção do espaço do município de São Luiz do Paraitinga. Dados e informações sobre aspectos demográficos, econômicos e de infraestruturas foram analisados, com enfoque no patrimônio cultural. Para tanto, ressaltou-se sempre a relevância da prática do turismo nas áreas rurais e naturais. A partir deste levantamento, associada à fundamentação teórica atribuída à cartografia temática e ao turismo, foi possível produzir uma coleção de pertinentes mapas analíticos do território luizense. Através da sobreposição destes, elaborou-se um mapa síntese com delimitação e identificação dos tipos de paisagens. As características das unidades espaciais lucubraram possibilidades de detectar áreas passíveis de potencialidades turísticas e especificar os usufrutos das atividades implantadas. Estes fatos subsidiaram uma proposta preliminar de zoneamento turístico, com o intuito de contribuir para a fruição e planejamento do turismo no município. / Cartography and tourism have in common the geographic space as an object of study. In summary, covering the elements and aspects existing in the natural and social landscapes. Developing tourism demands the social organization, provision in infrastructure and the use of financial resources to increment the tourism activity. To attend this requirement multiple methods and studies are applied, among them, the cartographic science. The information contained in the maps allow tourists and managers an overview of the geographical space consumed by tourism, since the process of research, projects, design, marketing, evaluation and even effecting a possible territorial reorganization. Especially in planning tasks, thematic mapping, observed by graphic representation, is a very useful instrument in many conceptions of tourism activities. Maps specific for tourism should apply the Graphic Semiology and avoid interference in communication. In this work, tourism was studied as a major point in the production of space in São Luiz do Paraitinga. Data, demographic, economic and infrastructure information were examined, focusing on cultural heritage. Also, the role of tourism in rural and natural areas development was analyzed. From this survey, coupled with the theoretical foundation attributed to thematic cartography and tourism, a set of relevant analytical maps of the study area was made. Overlapping and grouping these maps enabled the creation of a synthesis map, delimited and identified by the types of landscape. Thus, through critical viewing, was possible to identify the characteristics of areas appropriated for tourism and to underwrite a preliminary proposal for tourism zoning, with the aim of contributing to the enjoyment and tourism planning in the county.

Neste trabalho procura-se discutir a linguagem cartográfica para o ensino-aprendizagem da disciplina de Geografia. Nesse sentido entende-se que a Cartografia é uma linguagem visual, que deve estar presente nas aulas de Geografia. Ressalta-se que, essa linguagem cartográfica deve ser ensinada desde as séries inicias do segundo ciclo do ensino fundamental. Inclusive, que deve permanecer até o final do ensino médio no currículo escolar, em todas as séries. O objetivo é fazer com que os mapas façam sentido para os alunos, uma vez que, como linguagem que são, possuem um potencial comunicativo relevante no ensino e na aprendizagem. No entanto, para ficar clara a ideia do ensino e da aprendizagem que se espera efetivar, procura-se também trabalhar com autores que discutem o desenvolvimento da psique infantil, o currículo escolar e a escola. A intenção é compreender como ocorre o ensino e a aprendizagem e quais seriam os procedimentos didático-pedagógicos que permitiriam que esse processo se efetivasse nas aulas de Geografia. Nesse sentido foram pensados procedimentos e planos de aulas para o ensino dos conteúdos geográficos por meio do ensino da sintaxe das regras da representação gráfica conforme a Semiologia gráfica de Jacques Bertin. A partir da apreensão da sintaxe das regras da Semiologia Gráfica os alunos poderiam adquirir mais conhecimentos geográficos do que se apenas vissem os mapas temáticos como ilustração de textos. Os alunos apresentariam ganhos cognitivos e maior interesse pela disciplina de Geografia. Adquiririam também conhecimentos sobre a importância e representação dos fluxos e das redes geográficas para uma Cartografia adequada a uma Geografia renovada e perceberiam o potencial das anamorfoses para a representação do espaço geográfico como uma dimensão do social. Trabalha-se, portanto, com a concepção de espaço geográfico segundo a qual o espaço é relativo, produto da sociedade, um componente social. / In this work seeks to discuss the language mapping for teaching and learning the discipline of geography, because it understands that cartography is a visual language that must be present in geography lessons. It should be emphasized, including the need for such maps represent the geographical space as a component of society. From this understanding, we must think how to express graphically the dimension relations issues arising from central to geography such as distance, for example, in favor of school discipline Geography. In this sense it is used as the reference parameter of a desired mapping to be used in education that focuses on the relationships between objects and actions, and thus express the contemporary geographical space. For that, minimally graphical representation of the grammar should be known by students and teachers of this discipline, because it establishes that the maps must reproduce graphically the relationship of diversity, order and proportionality between the geographic objects by visual relationships of the same nature. This grammar structure of the graphic language, and if applied correctly in the construction of the map allows it to transmit the content of the information by viewing the finished map. The goal is to make theme maps make sense to students, in order to pass these students to be critical readers of maps with which we normally encounter. You can not criticize what you do not know. Accordingly, during the didactic and pedagogical procedures that allow the structuring of the cartographic language by students will be able to also develop the language of geography. It is evident that there is an urgent need for new forms of representation that are satisfaction with the new dimensionly. In this sense it has to be through the teaching of grammar syntax of the graphical representation according to Jacques Bertin\'s Semiology of Graphics to reach this goal. It is noteworthy that by observing the procedures suggested students also acquire knowledge about the importance and representation of geographic networks and flows to a Cartography appropriate for a geography that also is renewed. Realize even the potential of anamorphosis to represent the geographical space as a social dimension.

. Ce travail propose, en se basant sur un corpus issu de revues spécialisées en médecine tropicale et sur une série d'interviews de spécialistes du domaine, de comprendre le (ou les) rôle(s) des cartes, d'étudier son évolution au cours du temps ainsi que son impact dans la construction du fait scientifique. Cette étude s'est plus particulièrement appuyée sur la sémiotique peircienne qui a permis d'appréhender le sens des cartes, sur les écrits de Latour concernant la construction de la science ainsi que sur ceux de Robert concernant les technologies intellectuelles. Ces écrits ont donné lieu à la construction d'un système d'analyse de toute carte que notre corpus a alimenté. Outre l'impact réel des cartes publiées, impact constaté par une plus forte citation des articles les publiant, il a été mis en évidence que le(s) rôle(s) évolue(nt) au cours du temps. Au départ, toutes les cartes publiées avaient une fonction d'illustration et n'étaient pas nécessaires à la compréhension de l'article. Au fur et à mesure que les médecins adoptent les avancées de la cartographie, elles acquièrent de nouveaux rôles et deviennent des outils de recherche qui possèdent une autonomie scientifique. Inversement, nous observons des cartes qui perdent de leur « scientificité » au cours du temps. Si donc le rôle de la carte en médecine tropicale est dépendant à un moment donné des connaissances sémiologiques et médicales de son auteur et de son lecteur, il l'est aussi du temps qui, par l'évolution technique, scientifique et sociopolitique de l'environnement, modifie l'apport de ce support pour la recherche et pour la communication. / These objects can cover many different disciplines and appear in this study both politically and scientifically. This study intends to, by being based on a corpus of magazines specialised in tropical medicine and on a series of interviews of specialists in the area, understand the role of maps, studying their evolution in time and their impact on the construction of scientific fact. This study is primarily based on Peirce's semiotics allowing the comprehension of maps, on Latour's works about the construction of science and on Robert's studies into intellectual technologies. These papers led to the construction of an analytical system for all maps used by our corpus. Beyond the primary impact of published maps, which can be noticed through frequent quotations of the articles publishing them, it has been proved that its roles change over time. To start with, all the published maps had an illustrated purpose and were not required to understand the article. As doctors started adopting the progress in cartography, map stook on new roles and became research tools with their own scientific independance. Conversely, we observe that some maps loose their « scientificity » with time. In conclusion, if the role of maps in tropical medicine is dependant on the semiological and medical knowledge of the author and the reader, it is also dependant on the time, which by the technical, scientific and sociopolitical evolution of the environment, alters the use of this format for research and communication.