The main characteristic of deserts is a shortage (or complete lack of) precipitation; some desert regions go for years on end without rain. Other characteristics of deserts include extremes of temperature and very little plant growth. The desert biome consists of species able to live in these inhospitable conditions.

Valleys, which are low-lying areas between mountains or hills, and canyons, which are narrow valleys with very steep sides, are also landforms found in many deserts. Flat regions called plains, sand dunes, and oases are other desert landscape features.

Topography describes the physical features of an area of land. These features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included. Topography often records the various elevations of an area using a topographical map.

Most maps will have the five following things: a Title, a Legend, a Grid, a Compass Rose to indicate direction, and a Scale.

They are- title, direction, legend(symbols), north areas, distance(scale), labels, grids and index, citation – which make it easier for people like us to understand the basic components of maps.

Some maps have all eight elements while other maps may only contain a few of them.

• Data Frame. The data frame is the portion of the map that displays the data layers.
• Legend. The legend serves as the decoder for the symbology in the data frame.
• Title.
• North Arrow.
• Scale.
• Citation.

Some common features of maps include scale, symbols, and grids.

• Scale. All maps are scale models of reality.
• Symbols. Cartographers use symbols to represent geographic features.
• Grids.
• Other Map Features: DOGSTAILS.
• Map Projections.
• Surveying and Remote Sensing.
• How Maps Are Made.
• Types of Maps.

Types of Maps

• General Reference.
• Thematic Maps.
• Topographic Maps.
• Cadastral Maps and Plans.
• Navigation Charts.
• Series Maps.

Maps represent the real world on a much smaller scale. They help you travel from one location to another. They help you organize information. They help you figure out where you are and how to get where you want to go.

Terms in this set (4)

• Title. tells you what the map is about.
• Map Key/Legend. explains the lines symbols, and colors used on a map.
• Scale Bar. a measuring line that help you find distance on the map.
• Compass Rose. tells you where the north, south, east, and west are on a map.

There are three Components of Maps – distance, direction and symbol. Maps are drawings, which reduce the entire world or a part of it to fit on a sheet of paper. Or we can say maps are drawn to reduced scales. But this reduction is done very carefully so that the distance between the places is real.

There are two main types of maps – political maps and physical maps. Physical maps show the shape of the land – hills, lakes, forests, the coast and so on.

The definition of a physical map is a depiction of the geographic features of an area. An example of a physical map is an aerial view South America showing the forests in green, the mountains in gray, the streams in blue and the oceans in deep blue.

topographical map. topographic map. terrain map. contour map. “The legend is one of the most important things for you to understand when reading a physical map.”

According to the ICSM (Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping), there are five different types of maps: General Reference, Topographical, Thematic, Navigation Charts and Cadastral Maps and Plans.

Users of physical maps include anyone who seeks information about the geography or geology of the region.

Political Maps, Physical Maps, Topographic Map, Climatic Map, Economic or Resource Map, Road Map and more.

In this article we will look at diverse uses and applications of maps in daily life;

• Road map. Source: http://ontheworldmap.com/usa/usa-road-map.html.
• Aeronautical Maps.
• Nautical Maps/Charts.
• Railroad maps.
• Trail maps.
• Utility maps.
• Assessor’s Maps.
• Emergency services providers Maps.

Who uses topography maps? Hikers, campers, snow skiers, city and county planners, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, miners, loggers, highway planners and construction workers, travelers, surveyors, geologists, engineers, and scientists are just a few of the people who use topographic maps.

Physical maps are designed to show the natural landscape features of Earth. They are best known for showing topography, either by colors or as shaded relief. Physical maps often have a green to brown to gray color scheme for showing the elevation of the land.

Types of Maps

• Political Map. A political map shows the state and national boundaries of a place.
• Physical Map. A physical map is one which shows the physical features of a place or country, like rivers, mountains, forests and lakes.
• Topographic Map.
• Climatic Map.
• Economic or Resource Map.
• Road Map.
• Scale of a Map.
• Symbols.

Some of the most common types are political, physical, topographic, climate, economic, and thematic maps.

Political Maps – does not show physical features. Instead, they show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. Physical Maps – illustrate the physical features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers and lakes.

A political map focuses on boundaries between entities, like countries, states or counties. A physical map focuses on the geography of the area and will often have shaded relief to show the mountains and valleys. Typical colors are blues, greens and browns. Many rivers, mountains and lake features are usually labeled.

A physical map, as the name suggests, shows the physical features of a region. This often refers to elevation of land (contour lines) or depth of…

A political map is different than other types of maps because it focuses on government or administrative boundaries rather than geographical or physical features. Instead of showing viewers what exists in the land, it shows those imaginary lines that serve to separate countries, states, territories, and cities.

A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface, or a part of it, on a flat surface, according to a scale. It could be hand drawn or printed. It helps us identify the places and locations within an area helping us to navigate from one place to another.