Types of Maps
Large Scale Maps – are large in DETAIL but show a small area of the earth. The scale
ranges from 1:50 000 (1cm = 50 000cm or 500m on the earth’s surface) to 1:25 000
(250m) or less. Examples – road maps, Provincial Park map with trails.
Small Scale Map – are small in DETAIL but show a large are of the earth. These maps
show the general details of an area of the earth. The scale ranges between 1:250 000
(2500m) and 1:500 000 (500m) or more. Examples – country, continent, or global map.
General-Purpose Map – describes many different types of information on one map.
They can include bodies of water, parks, elevations, railway lines, roads, towns and
cities. Example – road map, city map
Thematic Map – are theme maps. They have one to a few specific features that they
display. These maps are easy for the reader to understand. Examples – population
density, precipitation patterns.