» There are many different types of maps that are in common use today. Depending on your purpose will determine the kind of map you need. » Thematic maps commonly used are physical maps, political maps, qualitative maps, cartograms, and flow-line maps. » What part of the map will let you know if it fits your purpose?

» Physical Maps help you see landforms and bodies of water in specific areas. » You will use this type of map to learn the relative location of places and physical characteristics of a region.

» Political Maps show Human created Features such as cities, States, territories, and boundaries between areas such as countries, provinces, Counties etc.

» Qualitative maps are used to help you see patterns related to a specific idea. Colors, symbols, dots or lines are used to do this. What is this map Showing?

» There are two different types of Map projections you will see the most of this year Robinson Map Projection Mercator Map Projection

» Robinson Projections show the curves of the earth and nearly the true sizes and shapes of continents and oceans, however land at the poles is flattened.

» Mercator Maps show most of the continents as they look on a globe, but it is a flat map. » It stretches out the land at the poles. This type of map is often used for navigation.