Question

detailed note on different types of maps

Answer 1

While there are many different types of maps that exist within the discipline of cartography, there are six types that immediately come to my mind.

Physical map: Physical maps display the physical features of a place, including land and water features such as mountains, plains, rivers, and oceans. Physical maps utilize colors to differentiate between various physical features as well as the elevations of those features, although for understanding elevation, topographic maps are much more useful.

Topographic map: Topographic maps also display physical features, using contour lines instead of color to show changes in the landscape, such as elevation. The spacing of contour lines are even and help differentiate between steep and flat features; for example, a mountain may have many closely knit contour lines to show steepness and a high elevation, whereas flatlands may have spread apart contour lines to show flatness and a low elevation.

Road map: Road maps are used to show highways and roads with varying levels of detail, as well as important natural and manmade locations such as connecting cities or national parks. Road maps also differentiate between the sizes of roads; for example, a national highway would likely be wide and red, whereas a smaller road would be narrow and grey.

Climate map: Climate maps convey information about the climate conditions of an area, including temperature and precipitation. Climate maps are also usually color-coded to differentiate between various climate zones, such as mediterranean or tundra climates.

Political map: Political maps are used to display artificial boundaries such as state or national borders, as well as cities and sometimes bodies of water. Political maps are often color-coded to differentiate between different countries or states.

Economic map: Economic maps display the arrangement of natural resources and economic activity within a place. Economic maps are usually color-coded to differentiate between the various resources or economic activity present within the place.