A map is a symbolic representation of selected characteristics of a place, usually drawn on a flat surface. Maps present information about the world in a simple, visual way. They teach about the world by showing sizes and shapes of countries, locations of features, and distances between places.

Maps can display political boundaries, population, physical features, natural resources, roads, climates, elevation (topography), and economic activities.

general reference map

A globe of the Earth would have an error score of 0.0. We found that the best previously known flat map projection for the globe is the Winkel tripel used by the National Geographic Society, with an error score of 4.563.

A globe is a three-dimensional sphere while a map is two-dimensional. The globe represents the whole earth, whereas a map may represent the whole earth or just a part of it. A globe can be used to get a broad-level picture of the world while maps provide more specific information about different places.

A map is an image of an area, usually of the Earth or part of the Earth. A map is different from an aerial photograph because it includes interpretation. If a map is on a piece of paper or a computer screen, it has to be projected.

MAPS

A map is a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions, or themes. Many maps are static, fixed to paper or some other durable medium, while others are dynamic or interactive.