Maps
- two-dimensional model of the Earth or a portion of its surface
- maps are made to represent an area that we cannot see, to show a phenomenon/ process, to present information concisely, or to show spatial relationships
- depict spatial information on paper so that the geographer can read and use information effectively
Categorized based on the kind of information they include
- General reference maps show a variety of information about a location such as geological, geographical, political
- Political maps show political boundaries, states, cities, capitals and countries
- Physical maps show landforms and bodies of water
- Special Purpose Maps (Thematic) focus on specific aspect of geography such as climate, vegetation, population density, etc.
Map properties
- shape
  - geometric shapes of the objects on the map
- Size (area)
  - relative amount of space taken up on the map by the landforms/ objects on the map
- Distance
  - represented distance between objects on the map
- Direction
  - degree of accuracy representing the cardinal directions and their intermediate directions
  - less accurate are the relative directions people commonly use to describe a location (left, right, up, down, etc.)
Parts of a map
- Title
- Compass
- Scale
- Grid
  - longitude (meridian) lines: run Pole to Pole (up and down/ vertical) and measure distances east and west of the prime meridian (0')
  - latitude lines: run parallel/ horizontal and measure distances north and south of the equator
- Labels
- Key (Legend)