There are several types of maps that illustrate different information. Political maps show state and national boundaries as well as capital and major cities. Physical maps depict physical features like mountains, rivers, and lakes using colors to represent elevation. Resource maps indicate the natural resources or economic activities that dominate an area using symbols. Climate maps provide general climate and precipitation information using colors to represent zones. Topographic maps use contour lines to show land elevation and slope with closer lines indicating steeper slopes. Thematic maps focus on a specific subject like population, languages, or income through the use of data.

1. Types of Maps

8. Political Map Indicate state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

12. Physical Map illustrate the physical features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers and lakes. The water is usually shown in blue. Colors are used to show relief—differences in land elevations. Green is typically used at lower elevations, and orange or brown indicate higher elevations.

15. Resource Map aka economic map feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that dominates an area. Cartographers use symbols to show the locations of natural resources or economic activities. For example, oranges on a map of Florida tell you that oranges are grown there.

18. Climate Map give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Cartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or precipitation zones.

20. Topographic Map aka contour map A topographic map has contour lines to show the shape and elevation of the land. The closer the lines are together, the steeper the slope.

22. Road Map show major—some minor highways—and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area.

25. Thematic Maps Thematic maps are data maps of a specific subject or for a specific purpose. Ex: Population of given regions Age distribution Battle Maps Movements of people Languages Spoken Income

29. Map Key aka Legend The reference area on a map that lists and explains the colors, symbols, line patterns, and shadings used on the map.

30. Compass Rose Shows directions on a map

31. Scale Used to show distance on a map.