Lesson objectives:

- I can define the Color scale

- I can identify differences in colors

- I can identify the importance of colors on maps

_{About color scale}

Cartographers utilize color on a map to represent certain features. Color scale displays a guide to help interpret colors on the map.

Different maps use different colors in a variety of ways.

Blue and Red color

Blue often represents water and black and/or red are frequently used for cities, roads, and railways. Black also shows boundaries, with differing types of dashes and/or dots used to represent the type of boundary: international, state, county, or other political subdivision.

Green color

Physical maps use color most dramatically to show changes in elevation. A palette of greens often displays elevations. Dark green usually represents low-lying land, with lighter shades of green used for higher elevations.

Brown color

Brown: deserts, historical sites, national parks, military reservations or bases, and contour (elevation) lines. Dark brown is used to show high elevations and light brown to show low elevations.

​Let us identify different colors on this map and their meanings.