There are many different types of maps, which

are usually classified according to what they

are attempting to show.

However, it must be noted that there are many

different ways to interpret the types of maps.
One common point of view is that there are
two main types of maps:

those which summarise the actual

landscape (topographic and general
reference maps); and
those which describe / comment on
specific features using the landscape as a
background or for context (all other maps
-

usually called thematic maps).

For ease of describing functionally quite

different maps; and to explain what can be
confusing differences; we have opted to use a
greater number of map types. To read more on
these topics:

General Reference (sometimes called

planimetric maps)
.Topographic Maps
.Thematic
Navigation Charts
.Cadastral Maps and Plans
General Reference Maps

These are simple maps showing important

physical (natural and man-made) features in an
area. Their main purpose is to summarise the
landscape to aid discovery of locations. They
are usually easy to read and understand. Most
of the early mapping of the Earth falls into this
group.

General Reference maps often enlarge or

emphasis some features to aid users. For
example, road maps show roads boldly and
may use road widths and colour to distinguish
between major and minor roads.

As general rule, General Reference Maps

a

would only show relief (the difference in

height
between features on the map) in a
stylised
manner. Street and tourist
maps are good
examples of general reference maps.
These are maps which depict information on a
particular topic or theme. The detail portrayed
on a thematic map may be physical, statistical,
measured, interpreted, and sometimes
or

requires specialist knowledge by the map user.

Weather, population density and geology maps

are examples of thematic maps.

Christmas
CORAL

Cocos (Keeling) SEA

AUSTRALIA
INDIA N Nofolk

OCEAN Lora Howe

MARITIME ZONES TASMAN

Territorial Sea Baseline
Coastal Waters SEA
Territorial Sea
Contiguous Zone
Heard Exclusive Econ omic Zone Macquarie

SOUTHERN OCEAN
Two very different thematic maps on the same
topic - Australia's Maritime Boundaries.
They
illustrate the principle that maps are made for a
specific reason, and this dictates the amount of
detail they contain.

The first is a simple map, with very little base or

location information. The second is a far more
detailed map. It has a significant amount of
base information anda dense pattern of
latitude and longitude lines which allow the
reader to accurately locate features shown on
the map.

AUSTRALIA'S BLACK COAL EXPORTS, 1985-86

(million tonnes)

Asia 21.7
South Korea 8.7
British Isles 2.6
United Kingdom 25 Taiwan o
O.1
reland
Hong Kong
Japan 42.9
Philipoines
Pakistan
Europe 19.5 China
neNetherlands 4,1
Other
France 3.5

Denmark
taly
Spain .6
ice
Belgium T.3 ria 3
1.0
Romania 3 South Pacific 0.2 South America 1.1
Greece 0.8
New Caledonia 0.2 Brazil .9

Sweden .
Middle East 1.2
Chile .2
Turkey
O. lsrael 08

Finland 0.5 0.4

west Germany 0.4

Yugoslavia 0.3
0.1
Otner

soURCE Joint Coal Board (1986

A typical stylised thematic map, where the map

itself is secondary to the information beirng
supplied. The intent is to quickly give an
impression of relative differences and the
detail being supplied as tables within the map.
Characteristics of topographic maps include

they show elevation using contour lines.

Put simpy, a contour line is a line which
joins points of equal elevation above sea
level
they have an emphasis on showing
human settlement (roads, cities, buildings
etc), but may include some thematic
information such as vegetation or the
boundaries of national parks
they are typically produced by
government agencies these are often
specialist mapping agencies and may
have either a civilian or defence purpose
they have well defined standards (called
Specifications) which are strictly adhered
to these vary between mapping
agencies and the scale of the map
they have very good location reference
systems- including latitude and
longitude, but may also have grid lines
often have additional information such as
an arrow pointing to Magnetic North as
well as True North.

As there is an exceptionally large amount of

information about Topographic Maps available
online (more so than any other form of
mapping) we shall give a very simple overview
of it. See Further Reading below.

Topographic maps are usually part of a series

of maps, but may be one-off / stand-alone
maps.
What is a Cadastre?
The cadastre of a country is its register of
property titles and is usually managed by
government agencies -

in Australia these are

often called Land Titles Offices. The

information recorded includes an accurate
description of the location of a parcel of land
and who owns it. It may also record what the
land can be used for (e.g. residential or not,
national park etc) and may also show the
location and shape of buildings. In some
countries it also records the value of a
property. In these cases thecadastre may also
be used for land taxation purposes.
Introduction
Navigation Charts combine aspects of
topographic, general reference and thematic
maps and are produced as navigation aids for
ships, boats and aircraft. Specialist knowledge
is usually required to read charts.

Liketopographic maps, charts are typically

produced by government mapping agencies:

marine navigation charts are usually

produced by a country's Navy and
possibly also by civil defence bodies and
o r port management authorities
air navigation charts are usually produced
by a country's Airforce plus a civilian
agency which is responsible for civilian air
traffic control and regulation.
Also, navigation charts typically have well
defined standards which are strictly adhereed
to.
Marine Navigation Charts

The chart images used here are with the

permission of the Australian Hydrographic
Service; for more information regarding
Australian marine navigation charts please visit
their website www.hydro.gov.au.

Marine navigation charts

(also referred to as
nautical charts) are
produced at a vast variety
of scales depending on the information
available and the nature of the area
being
mapped.