3.1.6 Understanding Maps

Understanding Maps

Maps are small, flat models of places on Earth.

For thousands of years, humans have been using maps to understand the world around them.
Since then, many different types of maps have been created to show different kinds of information.
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Great job learning about the different types of maps. A map is a great tool that can be used to better understand Earth's surface and the relationship between people and their environment.

Political Maps

Political maps display the borders between countries, states, and cities.

They are commonly used to identify the location of a specific place.

These maps often include tools such as a compass rose, latitude and longitude lines, and a map scale.
Labels are an important part of political maps, map keys explain the symbols and colors on a map, and the colors and borders show places and boundaries between them.

​Places Big and Small

Political maps help identify the location of a specific place.

They can be used to identify places on a large scale, such as a world map, or on a small scale, like a neighborhood map.

You could even make a political map showing the different rooms in your home!

World Political Map

This is a political map of the countries of the world.

Each country is labeled with its name.

Each country has a color and a border to show where one country ends and another country starts.

​United States Political Map

This is a political map of the United States.

Each state has a different color and is labeled with its name.

You can also see major cities in each state.

There are blue lines all over the map. Each blue line is a major river.

Pennsylvania Political Map

This is a political map of the state of Pennsylvania.

It shows major rivers.

It also shows major cities in Pennsylvania such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The capital city of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg.

Pittsburgh Neighborhoods Political Map

This is a political map of the neighborhoods of the city of Pittsburgh.

You can see major roads and rivers.

Each neighborhood is labeled.

Physical maps show the shape of the land. They are useful in helping you navigate the different landforms you discover when traveling or hiking outside.

​Physical Maps

A physical map uses color to show the shape of the land.
Physical maps often include elevation information, showing how high or low the land is from sea level.

Resource Maps

A resource map uses pictures to show you information about places.

Resources are things that people use.

This resource map shows things that are popular in each state.

Today, you learned that there are many different types of maps.

You learned how to read and interpret political maps, physical maps, and resource maps.

Maps are useful tools that can help you learn more about the world around you.