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Types of Maps!

Maps are basic geography tools.  With symbols, colours, or a combination of both, maps can convey a great deal of information about the physical geography of a place.  In addition to showing where places are and what their physical geography is like, maps can also help people measure distance, plan trips and find their way.

 

These are the most familiar kinds of maps:

These show patterns of distribution for a specific feature.  These maps can provide a wide variety of information, including population distribution, patterns of rainfall, and the location of natural resources.  Geographers study thematic maps to find overall patterns of a certain feature.

These show a specific feature's exact location in an area.

General Reference Maps present the names and locations of geographic landforms, features, and political divisions and / or units of continents and countries.  Political Maps and Physical Maps are general reference maps.

Mobility maps present travel routes.  Road maps show the kinds of roads - divided highways, 2-4-6-8 lanes, scenic routes, etc - available for ground travel in an area.  Street maps, like road maps, show roads and places of interest but represent smaller areas such as towns or cities.  Transit maps show the routes of buses, subways and other systems of public transportation.  Aeronautical charts, used to navigate airplanes are maps that show airport locations, mountain heights and other obstructions as well as landmarks such as bridges, highways, railroad tracks, towns, rivers, lakes, etc.  Nautical charts, used to navigate ships and boats, show water depths and the location of features such as islands, lighthouses and buoys.  Nautical charts also show such dangers as coral reefs or underwater mountains.

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