Map Skills

What is a map? A map is a drawing or picture that shows selected features of an area. Maps can represent many things, such as the Earth, a city, or even the mall! Maps represent a smaller view of something bigger. This means they are draw to scale.

Types of Maps There are three basic types of maps: PHYSICAL POLITICAL and THEMATIC.

Physical Maps Physical maps show the natural features of the Earth (mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, oceans, rivers, lakes. Physical maps do not contain man made features. For example, a physical map would be a map of what you would see if you were looking down on Earth from space.

When you look at this map, what do you see? Notice you do not see country borders or city markings. These divisions are created by people. This map shows landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Bodies of Water (Oceans, Lakes, Rivers)

Political Maps A political map shows information such as cities, capitals, states, and countries. Political maps use lines to show borders. The states and countries are also shown in different colors. Check out examples of other political maps.

Political Maps

Thematic Maps Thematic maps can represent a variety of information including things like climate, precipitation, vegetation, population, life expectancy, etc. Thematic maps are generally used when you are looking at a single piece of information.