Types of Maps

There are several types of maps. Each show different information. Most maps include a compass rose, which indicates which way is north, south, east and west. They also include a scale so you can estimate distances. Here's a look at some different types of maps.

Climate maps

give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Cartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or precipitation zones.

Economic or resource maps

feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that dominates an area. Cartographers use symbols to show the locations of natural resources or economic activities. For example, oranges on a map of Florida tell you that oranges are grown there.

Physical maps

illustrate the physical features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers and lakes. The water is usually shown in blue. Colors are used to show relief--differences in land elevations. Green is typically used at lower elevations, and orange or brown indicate higher elevations.

Political maps

do not show physical features. Instead, they indicate state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

Road maps

show major--some minor highways--and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.

Topographic maps

include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an area. Lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, and lines that are far apart indicate flat terrain.

 

* AskERIC Lesson Plans 
Social Studies: Geography 
http://www.askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Social_Studies/Geography

* Xpedition Hall
Presented by National Geographic, Xpedition Hall is a "highly interactive and visually stunning geography site that resembles the game Myst." The physical geography portion of the site allows students to view ecosystems of the world and see the effects of volcanoes, wind, and rain on the islands of Hawaii.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/hall/

* The Geographers Craft
A teaching initiative being pursued in the Department of Geography at the University of Colorado at Boulder to improve the teaching of geographical techniques at the introductory level.
http://www.Colorado.EDU/geography/gcraft/contents.html

* USGS Learning Web: Explorer: Playtime: Topo Bingo
Lets students or educators download various maps for the activity, which teaches kids about topographic maps and the symbols used on them.
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/fun/bingo.htm

*Geography Action!
Created by the National Geographic Society and the Coca-Cola Company, for grades K-12. Student handouts and teachers` lesson plans are available.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/

* WorldAtlas.com
"This information-rich site lets users explore countries of the world through a wide array of maps, descriptions, current times, flags, populations, land size, and links to other relevant sites. Other items of interest include geography quizzes; a very neat list of the highest, lowest, biggest, smallest, tallest, deepest, oldest, youngest, richest, and poorest places on earth; a geography message board; and more."
http://www.graphicmaps.com/aatlas/world.htm

* Test Your Geography Knowledge
The Test Your Geography Knowledge interactive quiz gives students a fun way to learn geography. Users choose a region of the world; click on the state, country, ocean, or other feature requested; and are told whether they're right or wrong and their total score.
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/

Below are sites for 
Activities and Information