Types of Maps
Maps
are pictures or representations of the Earth's surface. They
show how
places are related to each other by distance, direction, and
size.
Maps are a way of showing a part of the Earth's surface on a flat piece
of paper.
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Maps
are flat but they are made to represent an area that is on a sphere,
Earth. This can cause what is called distortion (changes in
the shape
of an object). The areas of a map closest to the equator have
little
distortion. The closer a map moves towards the poles the more
distorted the map becomes. For example, Greenland appears to
be much
larger on a map than it really is.
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A
person who makes maps is called a cartographer.
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A
map includes a compass rose that shows direction. Cardinal
Directions
are the four base parts on a compass. The top point is called north and
the point at the bottom is south. The side points are called east and
west. The points in between the cardinal directions are
called
intermediate directions. These include northwest, northeast, southwest,
and southeast.
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Maps
have keys. The objects on a map are represented using
symbols. A
symbol is a picture on the map that represents something in the real
world. To understand the symbols on a map you need a key. Maps
use a
key, or legend to explain the meaning of each of the symbols used in
the map. The key usually shows a small picture of each of the symbols
used on the map, along with a written description of the meaning of
each symbol.
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Maps
have scales. Maps are scaled down so that they fit
on paper. When
scaling down a map, every part of the map is scaled by the same amount.
This is done to make sure that every object on the
map is the same
proportion as everything else on the map. Because the Earth
is round,
and maps are flat, it is impossible to create a map with a perfect
scale. Some parts of the map will be too large, while others will be
too small.
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You
can read a map or globe. We can identify
locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude and longitude. Latitude
gives a north and south direction and longitude gives an east and west
direction. This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding
directions between places on the Earth's surface. The starting
point is
the prime meridian, with represents 0º longitude. The exact
opposite
position at 180º is called the International Date Line, which
is where
the date actually changes.
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Climate
Maps - 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.
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Economic
or Resource Maps - feature the major types of natural
resources or
economic activity in an area. Cartographers use symbols to
show the
locations of natural resources or economic activities. For
example, wheat on a map of Maryland tells you
that wheat is grown
there.
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Physical
Maps - 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 usually used at lower elevations, and orange or
brown show higher
elevations.
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Political
Maps - do not show physical features. Instead, they show state
and
national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is
usually marked with a star within a circle.
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Street
Maps/Road Maps - street maps illustrate smaller areas such as
towns and
cities. People use street maps to find directions to a place
they want
to go. A road map shows the highways or interstates. These
maps are
also used to find directions.
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Topographic
Maps - include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an
area. Lines that are close together show steep terrain, and
lines that
are far apart show flat terrain. Many hikers use
topographic maps,
especially in areas where there are no roads with signs. Geologists
depend on topographic maps to record the types of rocks. Engineers use
topographic maps when they are planning roads, buildings, or other
human–made structures.
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