A map is simply a drawing or picture of a landscape or location. Maps usually show the landscape as it would be seen from above, looking directly down.

As well as showing the landscape of an area, maps will often show other features such as roads, rivers, buildings, trees and lakes.

A map can allow you to accurately plan a journey, giving a good idea of landmarks and features you will pass along the route, as well as how far you will be travelling.

Understanding your map needs

There are many different types of maps. The type of map you would choose depends on why you need it. If you were trying to find a certain street or building in your home town you would need a map that showed you all the smaller streets, maybe even footpaths in and around town.

If you were trekking across a mountain range you might need a map that shows a bigger area of land and tells you the heights and steepness of the mountains.

If you were a pilot flying from London to Edinburgh you might need a map that has the whole of the country on a single page, with only the locations of towns and cities on it. Whichever type you choose, there are a few basic features usually found on any map, which will be explained in this section.