There are many different types of maps, which are usually classified according to what they are attempting to show. One common point of view is that there are two main types of maps:
- those which summarise the actual landscape (topographic and general reference maps); and
- ones that describe ⁄ comment on specific features using the landscape as a background or for context (all other maps – usually called thematic maps).
Some examples of different types of maps include:
General Reference Maps
These are simple maps showing important physical (natural and man–made) features in an area. Their main purpose is to summarise the landscape to aid discovery of locations. They are usually easy to read and understand.
General Reference maps often enlarge or emphasis some features to aid users. For example, road maps show roads boldly and may use road widths and colour to distinguish between major and minor roads.
Topographic Maps
Topographic Maps are similar to general reference maps that have a summary of the landscape and show important physical (natural and man-made) features in an area. The main difference is that they show elevation in detail.
Characteristics of topographic maps include:
- they show elevation using contour lines. Put simply, a contour line is a line which joins points of equal elevation above sea level
- they have an emphasis on showing human settlement (roads, cities, buildings etc), but may include some thematic information such as vegetation or the boundaries of national parks
- they are typically produced by government agencies – these are often specialist mapping agencies and may have either a civilian or defence purpose
- they have well defined standards which are strictly adhered to – these vary between mapping agencies and the scale of the map
- they have very good location reference systems – including latitude and longitude, but may also have grid lines.
- often have additional information such as an arrow pointing to Magnetic North as well as True North.
Thematic Maps
These are maps which depict information on a particular topic or theme. The detail portrayed on a thematic map may be physical, statistical, measured, or interpreted, and sometimes requires specialist knowledge by the map user.
Weather, population density and geology maps are examples of thematic maps.