A map is a total or partial representation of the earth’s surface that is made following a metric scale. For this reason, even though it is a symbolic representation of a territory, it is quite exact in relation to the indicated proportions.
There may be different types of maps depending on their use. They can be referential or general maps, which serve as a guide to identify a place or to get to it, but there can also be thematic maps, for didactic or informative purposes.
general maps
Also called general reference maps, they are representations of geographic, political, or cultural features of the earth’s surface. The best known and used general maps are:
thematic maps
They are representations of aspects or events that are found or occur in a certain territory. To elaborate them, a geographical map is used as a base, and on this the thematic content is designed to indicate the phenomenon studied.
They can be qualitative, when they describe characteristics (a map of the types of birds in a region), or quantitative, when they offer numerical values (a map showing the population density of a rural area). The types of thematic maps can be:
1. Political maps
They are a type of reference map that shows the borders or political-territorial divisions between countries or territorial units within a country (provinces, states, municipalities, communes, etc.).
When a political map shows the entire earth’s surface it is called a world map.
2. Geographical maps
Geographic map of Nicaragua. Source: ineter.gob.ni
Also called physical maps, they represent the geography of the earth’s surface or a part of it. This means that reliefs, mountains, bodies of water, volcanoes or geographical features can be seen in them.
Geographic maps usually only represent natural elements, however, sometimes they can show the political-territorial division of the area shown.
3. Topographic maps
They are representations of the different heights of a terrain, called heights. The different levels of height are represented with symbols called curves or contour lines, which give an idea, to scale, of the reliefs that a certain geographical area presents.
In addition to the natural formations that cause the differences in levels, topographic maps can also show formations created by humans: roads, streets, buildings, etc.
4. Hydrographic maps
Hydrographic map of Mexico. Source: Inegi.org.mx
They are a type of geographic map that represents the bodies of water on the earth’s surface (rivers, lakes, lagoons, seas and oceans). In general, hydrographic maps do not indicate depth limits. When they do, they are called bathymetric maps.
These types of maps are a fundamental tool of hydrography, a science that is based on the description and study of the bodies of water on the planet.
5. Geological maps
Geological map of Spain and Portugal. Source: Geological and Mining Institute of Spain.
As its name indicates, this map indicates the geological characteristics of a certain area. These characteristics can be:
Terrain anomalies, such as a swamp or mineral buildup. Current flows of underground water bodies. presence of rocks Geological faults: they are separations between blocks of tectonic layers. Their movement can cause tremors or earthquakes. Presence of minerals.
These variables are essential to know possible geological risks, and are used in the construction industry, mining and scientific research.
6. Geochemical maps
They are used to represent an accumulation of metallic minerals in the subsoil, which is why they are widely used in the mining industry.
These accumulations can be detected when the superficial rocky layer presents certain anomalies, such as a change in color. Once it is verified that these rocks have a metallic mineral concentration, the ground is drilled to confirm if there is indeed an accumulation of minerals sufficient to be exploited.
7. Bathymetric maps
Bathymetric map of Mexico. Source: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
They are representations of the different levels of depth of the bodies of water. To represent these levels, contour lines, reliefs or colors are used. These maps, also known as bathymetric charts, would be the hydrological version of the topographic maps.
Bathymetric maps are used in navigation and are useful in underwater construction projects.
8. Soil maps
Soil map of the province of Córdoba, Spain. Source: edafologia.ugr.es
Pedological maps are also known as soil maps and are used to project the distribution of different types of soil and their respective characteristics in a given geographic area. This information is relevant for the agricultural, mining, construction industry and for research projects.
9. Rainfall maps
Pluviometric map of the Ebro Valley. Source: Ebro Hydrographic Confederation.
Pluviometric maps record the levels of precipitation (rain) that have been generated in a given geographical area in a given period, generally one year.
The recorded data is used to generate climatological studies, to plan agricultural calendars and to prevent natural disasters.
10. Maps of geological risks and hazards
Geological hazard map of the city of Iquitos, Peru. Source: sigrid.cenepred.gob.pe
They are maps that represent anomalies, characteristics or events that can become a danger for the area in which they are located. Generally, geological risk and hazard maps indicate:
Ground slides. Geological faults (may show danger of earthquake). Areas of previous or potential flooding.
Risk maps are very useful in urban planning projects and in the prevention of natural disasters.
11. Zip Code Maps
Postal map of Madrid. Source: geodan.es
They are maps that are used to delimit the areas covered by a postal code. Due to this, its main use falls on postal service and e-commerce companies, which must organize their shipments based on this code to track the packages to be delivered.
12. Map of time zones
Source: localtime.timein.com
They are a type of map that indicates the 24 time slots into which the Earth is divided. Each of these bands, represented in the form of vertical bands, covers different territories that share the same time zone, so the map helps to locate the legal time of those zones more easily.
13. Economic maps
Source: Argentinian map library
They are maps that reflect the economic activities that are carried out in a certain territory. Its usefulness lies in the fact that it makes it possible to quickly locate the areas or the type of activities that generate wealth in the studied area.
These data can be used in the creation of public policies (such as the collection of data for the creation of an employment plan) or education (understanding what are the productive activities of a region).
14. Historical maps
Historical map of Europe showing the territory formerly occupied by the Soviet Union (USSR)
They represent events that took place in the past, which is why they are used as a reference to understand the context in which the studied phenomenon developed. Historical maps can be of two types:
synchronous: show a particular historical period. For example, a map on the political-territorial organization of Europe during the French Revolution.
Diachronic: show the changes or evolution of a phenomenon in different historical periods. For example, the trend of voters in Mexico City in the last 20 years.
15. Orographic maps
Orographic map fragment of Japan.
They are maps that show the differences in relief of a territory, such as the elevations and depths of a terrain. They can also show mountain systems, if there are any. The differences in relief are usually illustrated with green, yellow and brown colors, resembling the conditions of the terrain.
These types of maps are one of the tools of orography, which is the branch of geography that describes the characteristics of the soil and subsoil. They are used for scientific research or to plan infrastructure works.
16. Orthophotomaps
Orthophotomap of Andalusia, Spain. Source: Junta de Andalucía.
It is a photographic composition of a part of the earth’s surface, created from high-quality aerial or satellite photographs, called orthophotographs, which are characterized because they lack the deformations typical of traditional camera lenses. For this reason they are as valid and useful representations as a traditional map.
17. Road maps
Fragment of a road map of the city of Mendoza, Argentina.
They are maps that indicate the existence of roads, tracks and streets within a specific area. While the use of paper road maps was very common among long-distance drivers and commuters for a long time, today’s most widely used road maps use satellite technology, such as Google Maps.
18. Urban maps
Urban map showing the theaters located in the center of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
They are a type of thematic map that registers the main characteristics of a city, such as streets, avenues, places of cultural interest, public institutions, hospitals, police stations, etc.
Like road maps, the level of detail of urban maps has increased thanks to the use of satellite technology and its use is very common today to locate addresses or places.
19. Demographic maps
Source: Argentinian map library.
They are thematic maps that express the distribution of the population in a specific territory. Differences in population density are often represented by colors or by symbols, such as oval or circular geometric shapes.
They are also called population density maps.
20. Linguistic maps
Source: Cervantes Institute
They are representations of the different languages spoken in a geographical area. They are especially useful in places where, in addition to the official language, other languages are spoken, a common phenomenon in indigenous communities or isolated populations.
21. Climate maps
Source: mapofamerica.net
They represent the climatic conditions of a region. They serve to appreciate the variations of the climate and the formation of microclimates (climate patterns of a small area). Digital technology is currently used to identify and disseminate, in real time, the status of the different variables that affect the climate, such as:
Temperature. Atmospheric pressure. Chance of rain. Wind speed and direction. Atmospheric humidity.
Climate maps are used in navigation, agriculture, aeronautics, in the prevention of natural disasters, etc.
22. Income Maps
It is a representation of…