Types of Maps Flashcards
There are 13 types of maps. Can you name 5?
Physical, Political, Topographic, Thematic, Choropleth, Synoptic/Weather, Road/Street, Précis, Isoline/Isopleth, Climate, Dot Distribution, Cartogram, and Proportional Circle map.
Describe characteristics of a Physical map:
Shows natural features such as rivers, mountains, lakes, deserts and coasts.
Describe characteristics of a Political map:
Shows political units such as countries or states, also shows cities and main towns.
Describe characteristics of a Topographic map:
Detailed maps showing features in the natural environment, including the shape of the land, and features of the built environment.
Describe characteristics of a Choropleth map:
Uses different colour shades to show the amount or value of something. Darker shades show higher concentrations and lighter shades lower concentrations.
Describe characteristics of a Synoptic/Weather map:
Gather a range of information about weather conditions over a large area such as a state, country, or continent. May lack elements such as orientation and scale.
Describe characteristics of a Road/Street map:
Shows small areas in detail. Show roads and main features such as hospitals, schools, shopping centres and parks.
Describe characteristics of a Dot Distribution map:
Represents the distribution of different factors such as population or age through the use of dots.
Describe characteristics of a Cartogram map:
Cartograms have a distorted shape that use units of measurement other than area to work out the size of each unit on the map.
Describe characteristics of a Proportional Circle map:
Uses circles that vary in size to represent a variable such as GDP or Oil Consumption. Used to compare different locations.
Describe characteristics of a Thematic map:
Illustrates a specific themes such as the location of tourist sites, the type of forest cover, climate zones and energy resources.
