Types of Types of MapsMaps

How are different types of maps distinguished?

The World Political

Political maps show how people have divided places on the Earth into countries, states, cities and other units for the purpose of governing them.

Political Maps

Usually colored by country or by state Political colors make it easy to compare size,

shape, and location Bold letters often make the country names

stand out Symbols make it easy to tell capitals from

other cities Political maps also name certain physical

features, such as rivers and lakes

World Political Map

The World Physical

Physical maps show what the surface of the Earth looks like.

Physical Map

Has colors that make natural patterns stand out

The colors on the map can stand for types of vegetation, mountain, and natural features

Names of big natural features are easy to see Physical maps also include some political

information, such as boundaries

World Physical Map

Oceans of the World The world has four major oceans. Atlantic Pacific Arctic Indian

Pacificocean

Atlanticocean

Arcticocean

Indianocean

Global Climates Students generally associate Arctic and

Antarctic with cold weather, so students could make the observation that the climate at the poles is cold. This map shows the general climate regions of the world.

World Religions Religious beliefs help define a people’s

culture, so to understand a people, it is important to consider what religions influence that group.

Climate Map

The climate of a place is the weather it has season by season, year after year

Rainfall and temperature are climate’s main ingredients

Climate is affected by elevation, distance from the ocean, and latitude

World Climate Map

Land Use Resource Map

These maps show how land is being used. This might refer to:

vegetation crops being grown forest vs. Agriculture mines and wells city zoning.

Contour mapsContour lines represent the elevation at that line. If you were to walk across a line, you are changing elevation.

Contour map

Contour map

Physical Maps There are different types of physical maps.

• Relief Maps – Show the difference in height between land

• Elevation Maps – Show the elevation, or height above sea level.

Elevation Maps

Maps that show elevation change by using color or shading.

Topographic Map

World Religions Religious beliefs help define a people’s

culture, so to understand a people, it is important to consider what religions influence that group.

Types of Maps1. This map represents a small area with lots of detail. It has

contour lines as well as natural and man-made features. _______________

2. This map uses colors to show height above sea level. ____________________________

3. These colorful maps show lines that people use to divide countries and states. They also show major cities. _____________________

4. These maps show physical features on the Earth like rivers, mountains, and deserts. ____________________________

5. These maps show how land is being used. For example, they might show which crops are being grown or what animals are being raised. __________________________

6. These maps show climate regions. ___________________

Map Review What is the purpose of a Political map?

To show borders of countries, states, cities

Map Review Think about a hiker. What kind of map

would they need?

A physical map.

Why?

They would need to know things like where mountains, forest, and rivers are.

Map Review What is the purpose of a Physical map? Physical maps show what the surface of

the world looks like

Map Review Think about a hiker. What kind of map

would they need?

A physical map.

Why?

They would need to know things like where mountains, forest, and rivers are.

Map Review What are the four major oceans of the

world? Atlantic Pacific Arctic Indian

Map Review Why is it important to understand a

peoples religion? because religion helps shape their culture