It's bound to be cartographic (5)
I believe the answer is:
atlas
'be cartographic' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'it's bound to' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes ''t' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis).
'bound' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'to' becomes 'alas' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
't' inserted into 'alas' is 'ATLAS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for atlas that I've seen before include "Collection of maps" , "book of world records?" , "Titan with a fearsome burden" , "Segment of spine" , "North African mountains - mythical Titan" .)