Three Types of Maps

Physical

A physical map is one that shows the physical landscape features of a place. They generally show things like mountains, rivers and lakes and water, and elevation.

Physical

Physical

Political

A political map does not show any topographic features. It instead focuses solely on the state and national boundaries of a place. They also include the locations of cities - both large and small, depending on the detail of the map.

Political

Political

Thematic

A thematic map is a map that focuses on a particular theme or special topic. An example of a thematic map would be one showing the population change of Canada in specific locations from 1996 to 2001.

Thematic

State of Peace in different countries of the world.

Thematic

Population change in the United States, by county, from 1990 to 2000. (Data from 1990 & 2000 decennial censuses).

Components of a map

Title – tells us what the map shows us Legend - a key to all the symbols

and/or colors used on a map Compass Rose - a design on a map

that shows directions. It shows north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest.

Legend

Compass Rose