Cartographic technologies and materials have recently become really diverse. Ubiquitous using computers, development of digital technologies and growing needs of society have led to expanding cartographic knowledge and introducing new methods and features of presenting geographic information. A relevant area is compilation of three-dimensional cartographic works, since the third dimension provides significant advantages and convenience in perception of the displayed space. Compared with traditional one, the field of three-dimensional cartography is quite new (the beginning was laid in the middle of the 20th century), and, in this regard, at the moment there are certain problems in it which require attention and determine the necessary research. The author provides a theoretical study in the field of three-dimensional geovisualization and cartography based on the existing knowledge. The current state of 3D-cartography in the world with its problems and promising fields of development, as well as the essence of 3D-geovisualization as a more general concept are considered. Due to certain shortcomings of the available literature, a differentiation of types of 3D-geoimages was made with description of their distinctive features and formulation of definitions, among which a special place and priority is given to three-dimensional maps as virtual geoimages