Map is representation of real world. A map represents geographic features or other spatial phenomena by graphically conveying information about locations and attributes. Locational information describes the position of particular geographic features on the Earth's surface, as well as the spatial relationship between features, such as the shortest path from a fire station to a library, the proximity of competing businesses, and so on. Attribute information describes characteristics of the geographic features represented, such as the feature type, its name or number and quantitative information such as its area or length.
Thus the basic objective of mapping is to provide
1) descriptions of geographic phenomenon
2) spatial and non spatial information
3) map features like Point, Line, & Polygon.
Benefits of Maps :-
Suppose we want to find a buried treasure. The only person who knows where the treasure is, cannot travel with us. How will we find the treasure? The individual who knows where the treasure is could describe to us in great detail how to get to and find the treasure. This might work, but what happens if we forget an important part of the instructions? We would have to travel all the way back and have them repeat again, the description of where the treasure is hidden. We could have them write the description down for us. That way, we will not forget it. Having these instructions in hand, we can easily refer back to them as needed. A list of written directions would be a more useful tool, but what would happen if we got lost? Once we were off course, the written directions would no longer be of any use to us. These instructions only specified how to find the treasure from one specific starting point, and not from our current, lost position. A map solves both of these problems.
Maps are the basic tools of geography. They enable us to depict spatial phenomenon on paper. There are conventions used in cartography which allow a map to be read efficiently and quickly.
A good map will have a legend or key which will show the user what different symbols mean. For instance, a square with a flag on top usually represents a school and roads are represented by a variety of widths and combinations of lines. Often a dashed line represents a border.
The symbol for a secondary highway on a USGS Topographic map is equivalent to a railroad in Switzerland. Make sure to read the legend and you'll understand the symbols.
Every map is a representation of a larger portion of the earth. Read the feature about scale to learn more about how to determine the distance on earth represented on the map.
A neatline is the border of a map. It helps to define the edge of the map area and obviously keeps things looking "neat."
Since the map is a flat representation of the curved surface of the earth, all maps are inherently inaccurate. There are a variety of projections which have been formulated for different uses.
A map's title provides important clues about the cartographer's intentions and goals. You can hope to expect entirely different information on a map titled "Unemployment in Jefferson County" versus "Topography of Mount St. Helens."
Color appears so often on maps that we often take it for granted that mountains are brown and rivers are blue. Just as there are many types of color maps, there are also many different color schemes used by cartographers. The map user should look to the legend for an explanation of colors on a map.
Our expectations of colors on a map leads to some problems when it is used for elevation. Elevation is often represented as a sequence of dark greens (low elevation or even below sea level) to browns (hills) to white or gray (highest elevation). Since many people associate green with a fertile region, many map users will see lower elevations, which may be deserts, and assume those areas are filled with lush vegetation. Also, people may see the reds and browns of mountains and assume that they are barren, Grand Canyon-type landscapes of desolation but the mountains may be forested and covered in brush.
Additionally, as water always appears bright blue on a map, the user is often inclined to visualize any water on a map as pristine and clear blue - even though it might be entirely different color due to pollution.
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.
2 Thematic Maps
3 Climate maps
4 Economic Maps
5 Political Maps
6 Agricultural Maps
7 Physical Maps
8 Demographic Maps
9 Meteorological Maps
10 Pictorial Maps
11 Geological Maps
12 Contour Maps and more...
