What types of maps exist?
Maps are responsible for graphically representing the territory to provide guiding information on aspects such as location, limits, geographical features, etc. We recorded a total of 17 types of maps which we have grouped as follows:
Maps according to territorial breadth; geographic maps; maps that record human intervention in geographic space.
Let’s find out what they consist of and what their main characteristics are.
Types of maps according to territorial breadth
When talking about types of maps according to territorial breadth, we are referring to the basic shapes of maps, which serve as a basis for different uses. Let’s see.
Planisphere or world map
First strip: Mercator projection and Hammer-Aitov projection. Second strip: Mercator projection with 20° meridian bands and projection centered on the Pacific Ocean. Third strip: projection centered on the Atlantic Ocean and Fuller projection or Dymaxion map.
Mapamundi literally means map of the world. Its essential characteristic is to provide information on the general geography of the entire planet Earth, including the territorial platforms and oceans.
World maps often distort the Earth’s proportions due to the difficulties of representing the roundness of the Earth on a two-dimensional surface. Therefore, over the years cartographers have proposed various ways to solve this problem, which has given rise to the so-called planispheres.
Is called planisphere to models that represent both hemispheres of the Earth in a single plane and that aim to respect the proportions of the Earth’s surface according to the meridians.
continental map
continental map of europe
Continental maps are characterized by representing a specific continent. These can offer information about its conformation, limits or any other element that you wish to highlight.
Types of geographic maps
Geographic maps are those that provide specific information about the physical characteristics of the territory, be it a terrestrial or marine platform. That is, its center of interest is in geography itself, independently of human activity.
Physical map
Physical maps are characterized by not taking into account the separations between borders, since their main objective is to map the terrestrial relief, geological formations or any alteration of the Earth’s surface. They record, for example, the presence of mountain ranges, valleys or volcanoes.
See also What is a map?
Hydrographic map
The main characteristic of hydrographic maps is the representation of all the water sources in a given area. They include seas, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, basins, wells, etc.
Bathymetric map
Barimetric map of the vicinity of the Puerto Rico trench
The barimetric map is related to the hydrographic map. However, instead of recording water channels at surface level, it is characterized by studying those features that are found in the depths. That is, this type of map represents underwater depth, and has sea level as a reference point.
Orthophotomap
It refers to maps that are constructed from an orthorectified aerial photograph, which is made with a photogrammetric camera that allows the real scale of the photographed terrain to be recorded and corrected, avoiding distortions in the camera angle. They are usually taken from an airplane and, currently, with the help of drones.
Topographic map
Topographic map of Mexico
Topographic maps are those that are dedicated to the representation of the Earth’s surface. Although in this sense they resemble physical maps, topographic maps are specialized and are characterized by providing rigorously detailed information about the topography of the mapped region.
Geological map
Geological map of the Andean zone
The geological map or geological map focuses on the representation of the soil and subsoil of the mapped area. It takes into account the representation of the rocks and geological formations, their age and the transformations suffered over time. For example, this type of map usually displays seismic faults.
Edaphological map
Soil map with soil types in Uruguay, 2001
This is a type of map that provides specialized information about soil types, their biological, chemical and physical attributes, as well as limitations. This type of map allows identifying possible processes such as desertification or pollution, among others. It takes as a reference the global soil resource base of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Climate map
Climate maps are those that are dedicated to representing the behavior of the climate in the study area: indicators of temperature, humidity, direction of the winds, etc. It may include signs representing the flora and fauna of the place when necessary.
Rainfall map
Rainfall maps represent the rainfall of the area, that is, they graphically record the behavior of rainfall, its frequency and characteristics.
Types of map according to human activity
There is a type of map that, based on basic cartography, whether global, regional or local, allows a record of human activity within the geographical space. This type of maps has as its center of interest the understanding of political, economic and social phenomena in relation to space. Let’s look at some of them.
Political map
world political map
Political maps are those whose function is to represent the territorial limits between regions that constitute a political or administrative unit, whether they are borders between countries, states, regions or municipalities.
Political map of Spain
In other words, political maps are those that express how territorial administration and its limits are distributed. Therefore, the essential characteristic of the political map is the graphic representation of the territorial borders. Borders are imaginary lines established by human beings to delimit the administration of a territory.
Demographic map
Demographic map of Brazil
Demographic maps show the concentration or density of the population within a certain territory. This allows obtaining information on how the rural and urban population is distributed, where the largest population is concentrated, etc.
Linguistic map
World linguistic map
They can be thought of as a subcategory of demographic maps. Linguistic maps provide information on the use of languages or accents within a territory.
Economic map
Livestock map of Colombia
Economic maps are those that account for the economic activities of a certain region. Economic maps linked to the exploitation of land resources are particularly important, that is, oriented towards obtaining raw materials or various resources.
Historical map
Historical map of Columbus’ voyages to America
Historical maps are those that represent events from the past to help the researcher orient themselves. They are very useful for understanding historical phenomena such as migrations, the history of economic routes, invasion processes, the expansion of historical actors, etc.
urban map
Urban maps are those that provide graphic information about the layout of the city. It can include many elements depending on its function. For example:
map of the main routes (roads and transportation networks), administrative division, points of tourist interest, points of general public interest (hospitals, government entities, schools, firefighters, etc.).
See also: Globe.