TYPES OF MAPS

Maps can be divided by theme into three

categories.
1. General maps, are those that contain many
themes and give a broad picture. General maps
are often practical, showing the world in a way
that allows people to get from one point to
another without getting lost, or allows them to
learn about the overall layout of an unfamiliar
place without having to go there. An example of a
general map is a road map of a country showing
major cities, mountains, rivers, landmarks, etc.
 General maps
Show a variety of base information
E.g. coastlines, settlements, rivers, landforms
Showing the base data is the chief function of
the map
Physical Maps
Physical maps show
features of the Earth
such as, mountains,
rivers, oceans, and
forests.
What other physical
features are located on
the map?
 Physical Maps
Physical features: colors & shading illustrate
variations in elevation, landforms & vegetation.
Patterns indicate specific landscape features as sand,
glaciers 7 swamps.
Water features: blue lines indicate rivers. Lighter
shading reflects the limits of Continental Shelf.
Boundaries & political divisions are shown in red.
dotted lines indicate disputed or uncertain
boundaries.
 Thematic maps
Show a particular
theme
Other irrelevant
information is filtered
out
Settlements,
landforms, coastlines
etc. . It may also be
shown as points of
reference.
 Thematic maps
Atlas: physical & biological
topics-geology, landforms,
land cover & biodiversity.
Charts human patterns,
with information on
population, languages,
religions & world
economy.
Maps are coupled with
satellite imagery, charts,
diagrams, photographs &
tabular information.
Thematic maps choropleth maps
Use colour to
show differences
in values
between various
areas
Advantage: easy
to read
Disadvantage:
can be too
generalized
Thematic maps proportional symbol
maps
Symbols are placed on the
map to indicate the location
of specific data.
The size (proportion) of the
symbols represents the
quantity of the data.
Advantage: data is more
location-specific
Symbol sizes can be
misleading
Thematic maps isopleth maps
Also known as
contour maps
Lines are used to
connect data of the
same value
E.g elevation
(height),
temperature,
pressure, humidity
 Thematic maps, which contain one or a few
themes and show in-depth information. Thematic
maps can show almost any kind of information
that varies from place to place, such as a
countrys population or income level by state,
province, or county, with each division colored
differently to indicate the relative level of
population or income.
Charts, which are accurate maps of routes of
travel used for ocean and air navigation. They
must be updated frequently so that captains and
pilots know of current dangers along their route.
 POLITICAL MAPS
Political Maps- show governmental
boundaries of countries, states, and counties,
the location of major cities, road networks
and significant bodies of water.
Political Map
Regional Maps
 Regional Maps
Divides the continents into sub-regions
It captures the political divisions and major surface
features, while accompanying regional thematic
maps lend insight into natural and human factors
that give character to a region. Fact boxes, which
include flag designs and information on populations,
languages, religions, & economies, appear alongside
the maps as practical reference tools.
 Other types of maps
There are many other types of maps

Historical Maps
Road Maps
Climate Maps
Natural Resource Maps
Land Use Maps
Population Density
Maps
Etc
 Forms of Maps
1. Ancient Maps. The first maps made by
people were probably lines drawn in sand or
small pebbles and sticks arranged on the
ground.
2. Modern maps are published for the long-
term use of many people. Printed maps are
the simplest forms.
 Printed Maps
a. Flat maps, are the simplest forms. They show the
world as flatthat is, in two dimensions. On a printed
map, reliefmountains, valleys, and other terrainis
shown with special symbols to make up for the lack of
depth.
b. Relief maps, are rigid flat maps with actual bumps
and depressions added to indicate elevated landforms
and low areasthat is, in three dimensions. They are
usually made of clay or molded plastic, and the relief is
usually exaggerated to give a greater impression of
depth.
 3. Computer Maps, are the most versatile. A mapping
program can dynamically show many different views of
the same subject, allow changes in scale, and
incorporate animation, pictures, sound, and Internet
links to sources of supplementary information. A
person can update a computer-generated map with
new information by simply supplementing the maps
database, allowing the map to grow over time to
present more geographic detail and more themes.
Having a powerful digital map is like having dozens of
printed thematic maps overlaid on a particular area,
each electronically connected to an immense library of
information on the main theme and on many related
ones.
Using symbols that add meaning
Using 3D 0bjects
Proportional symbol map using pie
charts
 Thematic maps dot maps
Dots are used to show the specific location of
phenomena
E.g settlements, shops, deaths, earthquakes
John Snows cholera map, 1854
 Cartograms
Thematic map
Area is substituted for
another value
Therefore shapes are
distorted
Not a true map since
scale is variable
 Greenhouse gas emissions 2008

For more cartograms: http://www.worldmapper.org/index.html

 Topographic maps
Show a lot of detail
Show elevation (height)
above sea level
Useful for town and
country planners and
hikers
 Typical symbols on topographic maps
Settlements
Communications
Natural features
Cultural features
 All maps need:
A scale
A compass, or at least an
arrow showing north. (not
necessary on world maps)
A key
Without these it is not a
map, it is instead a diagram
or a figure
 Scale
Shows how large
objects on the map
are in the real
world

A map scale is
therefore a ratio

Source: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geography-boundary/mapping/topographic-mapping/10091
 Scale
Problem with small and large

Small numerical scale e.g.

1:1000 = large scale map
Large scale maps show a smaller
area but greater detail

Large numerical scale e.g.

1:500,000 = small scale map
Small scale maps show a larger
area but less detail
 Ways of writing scale
1. As a ratio: for example 1/10,000 or 1:10,000
Advantage: easy to read
Disadvantage: becomes inaccurate when a map is copied

2. As a scale bar: for example

Advantage: easy to visualize
Remains accurate when map is copied
Disadvantage: some scale bars do not start at zero and
may be misinterpreted
 The compass
Cardinal points: North
East South West

N = 00
E = 900
S = 1800
W = 2700

Convention: north
normally points straight
up on a map (but not
always)
True or magnetic north?

Magnetic north True north

All maps use true north

Which corresponds to the Earths axis