MAP

Definition of Map:
A map is a symbolic representation of an actual element or an area on a flat
surface.

Importance of Map:
Maps are useful because they illustrate specific and detailed features of a
given area, region, or an object. They represent features such as boundaries,
topography, physical features, climate, and even economic activities. There
are different kinds of maps including dimensional, static, dynamic, and
interactive maps. Maps have been in use since ancient times when they may
have been produced and used as necessary tools for identification and
navigation.

Types of Maps:
1-Topographical Map:
A topographic map is a type of map that shows large-scale detail and
quantitative information of relief by the use of contour lines and various other
methods. The map shows both human-made and natural topographical
features. A topographical map is based on a topographical survey that has
been performed on a large scale and shows varieties of elevations and
landforms.

Uses:
Topographic maps have various uses including geographical planning, civil
engineering, large-scale architecture, and recreation such as hiking.
Representation:
Features on the map are usually represented by conventional signs and
symbols. For instance, different colors can be used to indicate the different
classifications of roads. The signs are usually explained just below the map or
on the margins. Apart from contour lines, topographic maps also show forest
covers, water bodies, and buildings.
2- Geological Map:
A geological map is a map that is used to show geological features such as
geologic strata and rock units.
Representation:
The location of these features underneath the earth's surface is shown by
symbols or colors. Other features such as fault lines, foliations, and folds are
shown with strike and dip symbols which gives them a three-dimensional
orientation.
Types of Orientation Measurements:
There are two main types of orientation measurements: orientation of planes
measured as “dip” and “strike” and orientation of lines measured as “trend”
and “plunge.” Trend and plunge are symbolized by single arrows and are used
for linear features while strike and dip are symbolized by a long strike line
perpendicular to the direction of the slope.
3- Political Map:
A political map is a map that shows the political features of an area, country,
or region. It shows a region or country’s different territorial borders or
boundaries, the location of major areas or cities, and significant landmasses
such as bodies of water.
Features:
There are different sizes of political maps. Some of these maps cover an
entire continent, an entire region, or a state or country. One of the main
features of a political map is the geographical boundaries. The boundaries
between countries, cities, or states, are indicated by lines.
Uses:
Political maps help in understanding the geography of the world and are
usually the first maps that students are introduced to in school.
4- Physical Maps:
Physical maps are maps that have been designed to show the physical or
natural landscape features of the Earth.
Uses:
The maps are best known to show several geographical features such as soil
type, mountains, and land use including infrastructural developments such as
roads and buildings.
Features:
Physical maps are some of the most colorful maps with a different color used
to indicate different physical features. Most maps use green to brown to gray
color scheme to show elevation. A dark green color is used to indicate near-
sea level elevations and brown for higher elevations. Water bodies such as
lakes, rivers, and oceans are often indicated by a blue color (light blue for
shallow areas and dark blue for deeper waters). Ice and glacier are shown in
white color.
5- Road Map:
Road maps, also known as route maps, indicate roads and other transport
links. They are navigational maps that also include political boundaries,
making them part of political maps. Apart from road and boundaries, road
maps also show certain points of interest such as tourism sites, prominent
buildings, recreational facilities like parks and restaurants, train stations, and
airports.
Uses:
Small maps are used to show the overview of a region’s major roads or routes
while large maps give greater details and cover a large area. Highway maps
give an overview of major routes within a region. Street maps mainly cover
areas within a city or metropolitan area.
Features:
The maps are of different sizes, shapes, and scales.
6- Cadaster Map:
A cadaster map is a map showing the real estate of a country. It includes the
location, area, ownership, value, and tenure of an individual parcel of land.
Uses:
It includes the geometric description of the land and used alongside other
records that describe the nature of the interest, controls of such interest, and
the value of the parcel of land.
Features:
It includes the geometric description of the land and used alongside other
records that describe the nature of the interest, controls of such interest, and
the value of the parcel of land.
7- Dot Distribution Map
A dot distribution map is a type of map that uses dot symbols to indicate the
presence of features and depends on visual scatters to show spatial patterns.
Types:
There are two main types of dot distribution maps: one-to-one and one-to-
many.
In a one-to-one dot map, each of the dots shows one single recording of a
feature.
In a one-to-many dot map, a dot on the map shows more than one feature
being mapped but the dot distribution does not show the actual location since
they are arbitrarily placed on the map.
Features:
Dot distribution maps come in handy when mapping features that change
smoothly over space.
8- Thematic Map:
A thematic map is a map designed to highlight a theme connected with a
specific geographic area.
Uses:
The map serves three main purposes:
 to provide information about a piece of specific information.
 to provide general information about the spatial pattern.
 to compare patterns on different maps.
Features:
Thematic maps also put emphasis on a spatial variation on a number of
geographical distributions such as climate, population density, and health.