Elevation maps show the shape and slopes of land surfaces using contour lines connecting points of equal elevation. Contour lines do not cross and indicate changes in slope. Elevation maps have a vertical scale and represent a flat view of the Earth's surface. Climatic maps use colors to show temperature, precipitation, or other climate averages over regions. Thematic maps depict a particular theme or topic related to a geographic area, such as population density, natural resources, or political boundaries. Common thematic map types include choropleth, proportional symbol, dot density, contour, and dasymetric maps.

1. MAPS
:BASICS OF GEOGRAPHY:
4th Grade Social Studies

2. ELEVATION MAPS:
Shows the
surface of Earth.
Represents a
birds eye view.
Shape of the
land surface.
National Park Service, “Bryce Canyon Swamp Canyon Trail” May 4, 2010 via Wikimedia
Commons, Creative Commons Attribution

3. ELEVATION MAPS
CONTINUED:
Lines on the map
that are
connected points
are called contour
points.
United States Geographical Survey “Joshua Tree National Park” (no date) via
Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution

4. ELEVATION MAPS CONTINUED:
Contour Points:
Do not cross
each other,
divide, or split.
Represents
slopes.
Trend up valleys
USGS “Happy-Isles-topo-map” (no date) via Wikimedia Commons,
Creative Commons Attribution

5. ELEVATION MAPS
CONTINUED:
Flat representation of Earth.
Have a vertical scale not a
horizontal like most maps.
Up and down
(Author unknown) “Map of Water Sources and Human
Settlement” via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons
Attribution

6. CLIMATIC MAPS:
Maps usually use
colors
to show areas.
Monthly or annual
averages.
ALL PICTURES: Peel, M.C “North- American Koppen Map” via
Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribute

7. CLIMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Colored zones could
be represented by:
Temperature
Precipitation
Cloud cover, etc.
The National Arbor Day Foundation “2006 Hardiness
Zone Map” 2006 via Arbor Day Foundation, Creative
Commons Attribute
Quibik “Climate Zones of the Continental United States“
February 11, 2008 via Wikipedia, Creative Commons
Attribute

8. ROAD MAPS:
Roads of a city,
state, or other
areas.
Tourist attractions
or historical
interests. 2.) U.S. National Atlas, “Map of Florida
Roads” March 5, 2009 via Wikimedia
Commons, Creative Commons Attribute
1.) Aude, “Massachusetts Avenue” (no
date) via Wikipedia, GFDL
3.) File Upload Bot, “Los Angeles Crest
Highway“ July 12, 2007 via Wikipedia,
Released into the public domain
1.) 2.)
3.)

9. ROAD MAPS CONTINUED:
Most widely
used and known
map.
Used for
motorists, etc.
MasterSon,“IllinoisStateHighway”
January25,2009viaWikipedia,
CreativeCommonsAttribute
Stratosphere,“WackerDrive”
January26,2008viaWikimedia
Commons,CreativeCommons
Attribution

10. THEMATIC MAPS:
Shows a particular
theme connected
with a geographic
area.
Can show physical,
social, political,
cultural, and
economic aspects of
a region.
1.) Master of Puppets,
“Bubonic Plague” September
28, 2006 via Wikipedia, GFDL
1.) 2.)
3.)
2.) Geo Swan, “Ethnic Groups”
August 31, 2001 via Wikipedia,
Public Domain
3.) (No author) “World
Population Map” December 12,
2005 via Flickr, Creative
Commons Attribution

11. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Five thematic mapping techniques:
Choropleth
Proportional symbols
Contour
Dot
Dasymetric
Endeavormd, “Injury Mortality Rate” July 18, 2012 via Wikipedia, Creative
Commons Attribute

12. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Choropleth Map:
Color represents range
of values.
Data is a color and can
show
Density
Percent, etc. Geoff Hatchard, “Graduated Color” 1995 via www.e-education.psu.edu,
Creative Commons Attribute

13. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Proportional Map:
Point locations such
as cities.
Circles are most
often used for these
types of maps. Eric Gaba, “France Map Labour Protests” March 23, 2006 via
Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribute

14. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Contour Map:
Depicts
precipitation levels
and wind currents.
Can also show
elevation.
National Center for Environmental Prediction, “500 Millibar Height Contour
Map” May 10, 2013 via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribute

15. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
 Dot Map:
Shows a spatial pattern.
Can depict 1 unit or several, depending on what
is being shown.
(no author)”Cluster Map for
the Global Education
Collaborative Community” via
Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribute

16. THEMATIC MAPS
CONTINUED:
Dasymetric Map:
Uses statistics to
combine areas
with similar
values.
Magnus Manske, “Incorrect and Correct Population Density for Boston” February 26,
2010 via Wikipedia, Public Domain

17. Sources & Citations:
 Imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/basics/topos.htm
 www.britannica.com
 http:geography.about.com/od/understandmaps/a/thematicmap.htm