MAPS – On the basis of Content

MAPS

A map is an essential tool of a geographer. Map is a representation of the earth as a whole or a part of the earth drawn on a flat surface according to a given scale. It can show continents, countries, cities and even a local area are drawn with specific details.

TYPES OF MAPS

As each map is unique in its design, content and construction. On the basis of certain common features maps can be classified into several types.

✓On the basis of Scale

✓On the basis of Content

Each divided into two types

On the basis of Scale
✓Large Scale
✓Small Scale

On the basis of Content
✓Physical
✓Cultural

Maps on the basis of content

Physical maps are divided into four types. They are

✓Relief maps
✓Geological maps
✓Climatic maps
✓Soil maps

Cultural maps are divided into five types. They are

✓Political maps
✓Population maps
✓Economic maps
✓Transportation maps
✓Thematic maps

Physical maps

Physical maps show natural features such as relief, geology, soils, drainage, elements weather and vegetation.

Relief maps

Relief maps show general topography like mountains valleys, plains, plateaus and rivers.

Geological maps

Geological maps are drawn to show geological structures, rocks and minerals.

Climatic maps

Climatic maps show the distribution of temperature, rainfall, clouds, relative humidity, direction and velocity of winds and other elements of weather.

Soil maps

Soil maps which are drawn to show the distribution of different types of soil and their properties.

Cultural maps

Cultural maps which shows the man-made features are called cultural maps.

Political maps

Political maps show the administrative divisions of a country, state or district. These maps facilitate the administration in planning and management of the concerned administrative units.

Population maps

Population maps show the distribution, density and growth of population, occupation structure and literacy.

Economic maps

Economic maps depict the production and distribution of different types of crops and minerals, location of industries, trade routes and flow of commodities.

Transportation maps

Transportation maps show roads, railway lines and the location of railway station, airports and seaports, etc.,

Thematic maps

Thematic maps represent the distribution of a particular feature or theme and its spatial variation.