Maps and its geostrategic importance.

1. Types of
Maps

2. 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.

3. Political Maps
 Usually colored by country or by state
 Colors make it easy to compare size,
shape, and location
 Symbols make it easy to tell capitals from
other cities
 Political maps also name certain physical
features, such as rivers and lakes

4. World Political Map

5. Physical Map
 Physical maps show what the surface of
the Earth looks like.

6. Physical Map
 Colors that make natural patterns stand out
 Colors 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

7. 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.

8. Special Purpose Maps
These maps show many different
things. Sometimes called Thematic
Maps. Examples are:
 Land form
 Climate
 Agricultural
 Natural Resources
 Population Density

11. Contour / Topographic
Contour lines represent the elevation at
that line.
 Shows land elevation
 Contour lines-one line for each major level
of elevation
 If lines are close together, surface is steep
 If lines are far apart, surface is flat or rises
slowly

12. Contour map

13. Topographic Map

14. Types of Maps
1. 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. ___________________

15. Navigation Maps
 Road or street maps
 Navigation/GPS
 Nautical Charts

16. Historical Maps
 Shows how a historical event affected an
area