Political and Physical Maps

Using Map Color  Cartographers (map-makers) use color on maps to represent certain features. Color use is often consistent across different types of maps by different cartographers or publishers. Map colors should always be consistent on a single map.

Map Differences  Political maps show more human created features (especially boundaries) and usually use more map colors than physical maps, which represent the landscape.  Political maps will often use four or more colors to represent different countries or internal divisions of countries (such as states).  Physical Maps only show the landscape or natural earth (elevations, rivers, oceans, mountains, etc.)

Types of Maps  Types of Maps Video Types of Maps  Cardinal Directions Video Cardinal Directions  Teacher and the Rockbots “How to Read a Map” Video Teacher and the Rockbots

 A political map shows human-created features such as boundaries, cities, highways, roads, and railroads. Physical maps display the natural features of the earth - the location and names of mountains, rivers, valleys, ocean currents, and deserts. Most common maps and globes are a combination of physical and political maps.

Common Colors Used  Political maps will also use such colors as blue for water and black and/or red for cities, roads, and railways. Political maps will also often use black to show boundaries, differing the type of dashes and/or dots used in the line to represent the type of boundary - international, state, or county or other political subdivision.

T.O.D.A.L.  Remember the important features of a map:  Title (Is it Political or Physical? What place is it?)  Orientation (Compass Rose)  Date (Usually Year)  Author (Name on Paper)  Legend (Map Key)

OUR MEXICO MAP KEY  For our Mexico Maps, you will need to use the following Map Key:  Brown (Mountains)  Blue Waves (Seas or Oceans)  Blue Lines (Rivers)  Green (Plains)  Orange (Plateaus)  Yellow (Desert)