Questions about Mountains

When you take a moment and glance at a map. You see mountains. The question: is how do those mountain ranges come to be? Are there any rules or guidelines that might help a cartographer. 

Yes. Mountain building is guided by the movement of plate tectonics. Those large landmasses either move toward each other, away from each other, or alongside each other. This is what causes the large mountain ranges and valleys to form. Naturally, the mountain ranges form where the tectonic plates end. 

If you are planning on creating more elaborate (i.e. 3-D) maps. You might want to note that several types of mountains form. This will give your map more depth and variety. If you keep some of these elements in mind you will create realistic and fantastic maps.

Informative Reading:
What are Convergent Boundaries
Plate Boundaries