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What Are Geographical Maps?

Written by Pauline Lafleur Jul 14, 2022 ยท 3 min read
What Are Geographical Maps?

Geographical maps are visual representations of the Earth's surface. They depict various features such as continents, countries, oceans, mountains, and bodies of water. These maps help us understand the location of different places, the physical features of the Earth, and the distribution of various elements such as population, resources, and climate. They are essential tools for navigation, planning, research, and education.

Table of Contents

World Physical Wall Map
World Physical Wall Map from www.maps.com

Geographical maps are visual representations of the Earth's surface. They depict various features such as continents, countries, oceans, mountains, and bodies of water. These maps help us understand the location of different places, the physical features of the Earth, and the distribution of various elements such as population, resources, and climate. They are essential tools for navigation, planning, research, and education.

Types of Geographical Maps

There are different types of geographical maps that serve different purposes. Some of them include:

Physical Maps

Physical maps depict the natural features of the Earth such as mountains, rivers, oceans, and deserts. They help us understand the topography of the Earth and its physical characteristics.

Political Maps

Political maps depict the boundaries of countries, states, and cities. They help us understand the political divisions of the Earth and the location of different administrative regions.

Thematic Maps

Thematic maps depict specific themes such as climate, population, resources, and transportation. They help us understand the distribution of various elements on the Earth's surface and their relationship with each other.

History of Geographical Maps

The history of geographical maps dates back to ancient times. The earliest known maps were created by the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. These maps depicted the location of different places and the physical features of the Earth. Over time, maps became more accurate and detailed, and they played an important role in the exploration and colonization of new lands.

Uses of Geographical Maps

Geographical maps have many uses in our daily lives. Some of them include:

Navigational Purposes

Maps are essential tools for navigation. They help us find our way around different places and reach our destinations without getting lost.

Planning Purposes

Maps are used for planning various activities such as travel, construction, and urban development. They help us understand the layout of different places and make informed decisions.

Research Purposes

Maps are used for research purposes in various fields such as geography, geology, biology, and sociology. They help us understand the distribution of different elements on the Earth's surface and their relationship with each other.

Educational Purposes

Maps are used for educational purposes in schools, colleges, and universities. They help students understand the physical and political features of the Earth and develop their spatial awareness.

Question and Answer

Q. What is the difference between physical and political maps?

A. Physical maps depict the natural features of the Earth such as mountains, rivers, and oceans, while political maps depict the boundaries of countries, states, and cities.

Q. What is the importance of geographical maps in our daily lives?

A. Geographical maps are essential tools for navigation, planning, research, and education. They help us find our way around different places, make informed decisions, understand the distribution of different elements on the Earth's surface, and develop our spatial awareness.

Q. What is the history of geographical maps?

A. The history of geographical maps dates back to ancient times. The earliest known maps were created by the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. Over time, maps became more accurate and detailed, and they played an important role in the exploration and colonization of new lands.

Q. What are the different types of geographical maps?

A. The different types of geographical maps include physical maps, political maps, and thematic maps. Physical maps depict the natural features of the Earth, political maps depict the boundaries of countries, states, and cities, and thematic maps depict specific themes such as climate, population, resources, and transportation.

Q. What are the uses of geographical maps?

A. The uses of geographical maps include navigational purposes, planning purposes, research purposes, and educational purposes. Maps help us find our way around different places, make informed decisions, understand the distribution of different elements on the Earth's surface, and develop our spatial awareness.

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