TYPES OF MAPS

What is a Map?

• A map is a CARTOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION of a GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

• Maps almost always have a COMPASS ROSE and a SCALE TO ESTIMATE DISTANCES.

There are 6 Types of Maps

• PHYSICAL• POLITICAL• CLIMATE • ROAD• TOPOGRAPHIC• ECONOMIC

PHYSICAL MAPS

• A PHYSICAL MAP illustrates the PHYSICAL FEATURES of an area, such as MOUNTAINS, LAKES and RIVERS. Colours are used to show RELIEF (differences in land elevation): GREEN for HIGHER elevations and BROWN for LOWER elevation.

POLITICAL MAPS

• POLITICAL maps do not show PHYSICAL FEATURES.

• They indicate TERRITORIAL and NATIONAL boundaries, as well as CAPITAL and MAJOR CITIES. A CAPITAL CITY is usually marked with a STAR INSIDE A CIRCLE.

CLIMATE MAPS

• CLIMATE MAPS give general information about the CLIMATE. CARTOGRAPHERS use COLOURS to show different CLIMATE and PRECIPITATION ZONES.

ROAD MAPS

• ROAD MAPS show MAJOR and some MINOR HIGHWAYS.

• They also indicate ROADS, AIRPORTS, RAILROAD TRACKS, CITIES and POINTS OF INTEREST in an area.

• People use road maps to PLAN TRIPS and for DRIVING DIRECTIONS.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

• TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS use CONTOUR LINES to show the SHAPE and ELEVATION of an area. Lines drawn CLOSE TOGETHER indicate STEEP TERRAIN and lines that are FAR APART indicate FLAT TERRAIN.

ECONOMIC MAPS

• ECONOMIC MAPS (or resource maps) feature the type of NATURAL RESOURCES or ECONOMIC ACTIVITY that dominates an area.

• CARTOGRAPHERS use SYMBOLS to show the location of natural resources.

• Ex: ORANGES on a map of FLORIDA tell us that they are grown there.

QUIZ TIME!

• Take out a sheet of looseleaf.• Put your name and the date at the top.

• Number the lines #1-#15

• For each of the following 15 slides, write down which type of map is shown. • You may use your notes.

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