Question

Write an explanatory account of types of maps.

Answer 1

On the basis of scale:

1. Large-scale maps: These maps are drawn to show small areas at a relatively large scale. For example, the topographical maps drawn at a scale of 1 : 250,000, 1 : 50,000 or 1 : 25,000 and the village maps, the zonal plans of the cities and house plans prepared on a scale of 1: 4,000,1: 2,000 and 1: 500 are large-scale maps. These are of two types: 
   1. Cadastral Maps
   2. Topographical Maps
2. Small-scale maps: These maps are drawn to show large areas. These are of two types:
   1. Wall Maps and
   2. Atlas Maps

On the basis of functions, maps are of two types:

1. Physical maps: Physical maps show natural features such as relief, geology, soils, drainage, elements of weather, climate and vegetation, etc. Physical maps include relief maps, geological maps and climatic maps.
2. Cultural maps: Cultural maps show man-made features. These include a variety of maps showing population distribution and growth, sex and age, social and religious composition, literacy, levels of educational attainment, occupational structure, location of settlements, facilities and services, transportation lines and production, distribution and flow of different commodities. It includes political maps, population maps, economic maps and transportation maps.