Which of the following best describes 'the art and science of creating maps'?

The term that best describes 'the art and science of creating maps' is cartography. Cartography encompasses the principles and techniques involved in the design, production, and study of maps. This field combines artistic design with scientific techniques to represent spatial information effectively, allowing for the communication of geographic data in a visual format.

Cartography involves understanding geographic concepts, as well as the use of technology and tools, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It requires knowledge about scale, symbols, and the visual hierarchy of information, which are essential for creating maps that are not only informative but also visually appealing and easy to understand.

In contrast, geology refers to the study of the Earth's physical structure and substance, including the processes that shape it over time. Cartology does not exist as a recognized field in this context, and mapping, while related, is a broader term that can refer to various forms of creating representations of space without necessarily involving the artistic and scientific rigor that characterizes cartography.