Lesson
11
What You Will Learn
To use maps with different themes
Reading Strategy
Create a diagram like the one below.
In each of the outer circles, write an
example of a feature you would find
on a typical physical map.
Comparing Types
of Maps
S
uppose you are planning a trip to another country. What
would you like to know about that country before you leave
home? What language is spoken there? Where are the country’s
interesting places to visit located? Should you take clothes for
warm weather, or cold?
These are just a few of the things you can learn from maps. In
fact, there are almost as many kinds of maps as there are kinds of
information to show on them. Let’s look at some of the different
kinds of maps and what they can tell us about our world.
Using Physical Maps
Map
Features
Terms to Know
physical map, relief map, political
map, special-purpose map
A physical map shows how the land looks. Mountains, rivers,
plains, and lakes—the physical features of the land—are shown
on a physical map. Sometimes a physical map shows the height of
the land above sea level. It may use colors and shading to show
relief—or how flat or rugged the land surface is. This kind of physical map is called a relief map.
Look at Map 1-13: United States: Physical on page 44. Find the
Rocky Mountains. What physical feature lies just east of the
Rocky Mountains? Into what river do the Ohio and Missouri rivers
flow? Into what body of water does the Mississippi River flow?
What ocean lies east of the United States? These are all kinds of
information you can find on physical maps.
Using Political Maps
A political map shows how humans have divided the surface of
the earth into countries, states, and other political divisions.
Often, a political map will show some physical features, such as
lakes and rivers, because these are sometimes used as political
boundaries. A political map will show where the boundaries
between countries, states, or counties are located. It may also
show the locations of cities. Unlike physical maps, which remain
fairly constant over time, political maps change as political relationships shift.
Look at Map 1-14: Australia and New Zealand: Political on page
45. Notice the dashed lines on the map. These show the boundaries between states. The letters in SMALL CAPITALS are the names of
the states. Queensland is the name of one state. Can you name
LESSON 11 Comparing Types of Maps
43
United States: Physical
OCEAN
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100 miles
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100 200 300 miles
W
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Everglades
S
Hawaii
0
200
400 kilometers
0 100 kilometers
the others? What is the capital of Australia? What
tells you it is the capital? What are some other
cities shown on the map?
Using Special-Purpose Maps
Maps that emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area are called
special-purpose maps. There are many kinds of
special-purpose maps, each designed to serve a
different need. Population density maps, time zone
maps, and climate maps are among the different
kinds of special-purpose maps. You will learn to
read these and other kinds of special-purpose
maps later in this book.
Some special-purpose maps—such as economic activity maps and natural resource maps—
44
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Map 1-13
LESSON 11 Comparing Types of Maps
show the distribution of particular activities,
resources, or products in a given area. Colors and
symbols represent the location or distribution of
activities and resources.
Many times maps will be a combination of physical, political, and special-purpose. For example, a
special-purpose map that shows what products
are produced in the United States will usually have
state boundaries shown. What kind of map shows
boundaries? A land-use map may also show major
rivers. What kind of map shows rivers?
When you read a map, what should you look at
first? In order to know what the map is about, you
must first look at the map’s title. The title may be
at the top or bottom of the map, or it may be in a
box with the legend.
Map 1-14
Australia and New Zealand: Political
120°E
130°E
150°E
140°E
160°E
180°E
160°E
INDIAN OCEAN
N
W
10°S
CORAL
SEA
TIMOR SEA
E
PACIFIC OCEAN
S
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
20°S
0
500 miles
20°S
QUEENSLAND
0
AUSTRALIA
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
250
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
250
500 kilometers
Brisbane
NEW SOUTH
WALES
168°E
176°E
30°S
38°S
30°S
Perth
Sydney
Canberra
Adelaide
38°S
NEW
ZEALAND
VICTORIA
Wellington
Melbourne
TASMAN SEA
Launceston
TASMANIA
110°E
120°E
130°E
140°E
Hobart
40°S
160°E
46°S
168°E
46°S
176°E
LEGEND
Capitals
Major cities
LESSON 11 Comparing Types of Maps
45
Using Your Skills
Reviewing Key Terms
Match each term with its meaning. Draw a line from each term to its
definition.
1.
political map
a.
a kind of map that shows features of the land
2.
physical map
b.
a kind of map that gives one particular kind of information
3.
special-purpose map
c.
a kind of map that shows how humans have
divided the earth into countries and states
Practicing Map Skills
Use Map 1-15: Ethiopia, 2001 below to answer the questions.
Ethiopia, 2001
1.
What is the title of this map?
2.
What part of the map tells you what the symbols on the map mean?
3.
What do the solid black lines on the map stand for?
4.
What does
on the map stand for?
mountains
5.
What does
on the map stand for?
railroad
6.
Would you call this a physical map, a political map, a special-purpose
map, or a combination of all three? Why?
the legend
national boundaries
It is a combination of all three types. It shows political boundaries and cities. It shows physical features
such as mountains and rivers. It also shows special features such as roads, railroads, airports, and seaports.
Ethiopia, 2001
Map 1-15
N
W
RED
SEA
E
S
LEGEND
Major Road
Gonder
Lake
Tana
Dese
Railroad
Bl u
Dire
Dawa
Nile
e
Addis Ababa
Airport
Mountains
Harer
Capital
Jıma
Jimma
National Boundary
Major City
Lake
Rudolf
46
Nagele
0
280 miles
0
450 kilometers
LESSON 11 Comparing Types of Maps