On this page, we explain what a “Map” is in geography context. This answer is mostly suitable for Grade 7 learners.
First of all, let us understand what a map is not, according to Geography:
- A map is not a photograph – It doesn’t show an exact visual of the Earth.
- A map is not a random drawing – It is a very structured, scaled representation based on actual measurements.
- A map is not a globe – Real maps are flat, not spherical.
- Maps are not always static – Maps evolve to include new information over time.
That being said,
A Map (in Geography) is a representation of the characteristics of a specific location symbolically, such as physical features of the area (rivers, roads, vegetation, etc), cultural features, population, and terrains.
10 Characteristics of a Map in Geography
To further understand what a map is in geographical terms, let’s look at the 10 characteristics of what a map is:
Shows Places – A geographical map uses drawings to show parts of the Earth.
Flat Surface – Geographical maps are flat, not round like a globe.
Distance – A geographical map will show how far things are from each other using predefined scales.
Directions – Maps show directions like north, south, east, and west.
Learn the different types of Maps