Different Kinds of Maps

You can look in an atlas to find different kinds of maps. An atlas is a book that has maps of the world, continents, countries, states, etc.

Here are some different types of maps:

Road maps: show major, some minor highways and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.

Above is a road map of Maspeth, NY. It is located in the Borough of Queens. It shows major highways (278 & Long Island Expressway) and minor roadways (Queens Blvd & Northern Blvd)

Weather & Climate Maps

Weather maps- show weather patterns in cities, states, countries, etc.

Climate Maps- give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region.

Grid Map

Grid Map- a map in which a grid, or set of squares, is used to locate places. Each location uses a letter and a number on the grid. A3, D4

Physical Maps

Physical maps- show country borders, major cities and significant bodies of water. Physical maps also show the location of landforms like deserts, mountains, plains, rivers and lakes. These types of landfoms are not included on political maps. The water is usually shown in blue. Colors are used to show differences in land elevations. Green is typically used at lower elevations, and orange or brown indicate higher elevations.Let's look at a physical map.

Political Maps

Political maps- do not show physical features. Instead, they show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

Political maps usually include significant bodies of water.Think about what you saw on the physical map, and now look at the same countries on the political map.

So we have learned that….

Road maps- show major, some minor highways and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.

Climate Maps- give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region.

Weather maps- show weather patterns in cities, states, countries, etc.

Grid Map- a map in which a grid, or set of squares, is used to locate places. Each location uses a letter and a number on the grid. A3, D4

Physical maps- show country borders, major cities and significant bodies of water.

Political maps- do not show physical features. Instead, they show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities.