Today we cannot think about traveling or learning Geography without maps. Maps are extremely useful in studying the location of different places and many other types of information are available from maps.

Fact 1 What Is A Map

A map is a visual representation of a particular area or an entire area that is drawn on a flat surface. It furnishes us with information about the location of a place, its geographical features, rivers, climates, population, agriculture, industries and even distances between places. These maps are drawn by special persons who are professionally trained to draw according to a scale known are cartographers. These drawings have certain specific features like scale, grids and symbols that make the maps very accurate and easy to follow.

Fact 2 Kinds Of Maps

Maps are drawn for various purposes. The most common maps that we use often are physical maps that illustrate the physical features of a state or country or even an area; political maps tell us about the different states of a country, their boundaries, capitals and other important cities, separate maps that show the agricultural areas, industries, roads, railways, population and even topography, educational institutes, economic activities and such others. Meteorologists use weather maps while city planners take the help of maps to decide where to place the parks, hospitals, etc.

Fact 3 Evolution Of Maps

Historical evidences prove that maps have been used for more than nearly 8000 years. The notion of the earth as a sphere was prevalent during the age of Aristotle in Greece and all geographers accepted this fact also. Rock carvings and cave paintings of ancient maps have been found in Greece, Asia and Babylon and continue till date. These maps have helped navigators to find new routes to different countries. In the Medieval period, religious views influenced the European maps. During the 17^th to the 19^th century there were scientific developments in mapping that made them all the more accurate. Aerial photography helped in the creation of more vivid and descriptive maps and the fine details, distortion-free maps offered users greater facilities in planning their work and their travel schedules. The digital maps have made work easier than before.

Fact 4 Difference Between Maps And Globes

We can also see the entire world in a globe. It is a three-dimensional sphere that represents the shape of the earth as it and sometimes contains meridians and latitudes and longitudes for locating places faster. Although a globe offers a precise view of the earth, it is inconvenient to use it for various reasons. On the contrary maps offer more advantages than globes because maps are easy to carry and store for they are more compact in size and can represent different scales correctly. Moreover, maps are cheaper and can be used by all starting from the student to the mariner.

Fact 5 Usefulness Of Maps

Maps are the sources of maximum information as compared to other sources like globes, etc. They are used for various purposes by people from different walks of life. They are mainly used for:

• Exploration
• Navigation
• Controlling and planning
• Communication
• Weather forecast
• Knowledge and education
• Historical information and many others.
• Floor plan maps are extremely helpful even for a householder who can even decide where to place the different objects to bring in luck and prosperity to the home.

Fact 6 Instruments That Make Maps More Accurate

With the invention of the compass, cartography or the science of drawing maps developed largely. Accurate details were available that made traveling especially to new places safer and more convenient. Nowadays, digital devices have enhanced cartography so much so that even a student can locate an unknown place in his/her city easily through the GPS facilities in their mobiles.