What is a physical map?

A physical map is a representation of the Earth's surface that emphasizes natural features. Unlike political maps that highlight boundaries and human-made structures, physical maps focus on depicting the topography (landforms) of an area.

Key elements shown on a physical map typically include:

• Mountains: These are usually represented with shading or contour lines to indicate elevation. Higher elevations are often shown in darker colors.
• Rivers and Lakes: Water bodies are often displayed in blue. The courses of rivers and the shapes of lakes are clearly marked.
• Deserts: These are typically shown in lighter shades of brown or yellow to represent arid areas.
• Plains and Valleys: These relatively flat areas are often shown in green or lighter shades of brown.
• Elevation: Physical maps often use color gradients or contour lines to show elevation changes. Contour%20lines connect points of equal elevation. The map's legend will explain what each color or line represents in terms of height above sea level.

Physical maps are useful for understanding the physical geography of a region, identifying natural resources, and planning for infrastructure development. They provide a visual understanding of the Earth's diverse landscapes and how these landscapes influence human activities.