Physical Regions

Maps and Regions

by Dean Padgett

​Types of Maps

There are many types of maps, and they all convey different kinds of information about places.​

​Physical Maps

• ​Physical maps show physical geography features, such as landforms and bodies of water.

• ​Physical maps are sometimes called physical relief maps because they also show relief, or change in land elevation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is something that can not be found on a physical map?

• Bodies of Water

• Landforms

• Languages Spoken

• Changes in Land Elevation

​Political Maps

• ​Political maps are used to show political boundaries.

• ​These boundaries can be between nations, states, territories, counties, and even cities and towns.

• ​Political maps also often show capital cities and other important cities in a country or area.

Multiple Choice

Looking at the map how many counties is the state of Delaware divided into

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

​Thematic Maps

• ​Thematic maps show information about a specific theme or subject.

• ​They are also sometimes called special-purpose maps.

• ​Climate maps, vegetation maps, and population density maps are examples of thematic maps.

​Regions

• ​A region consists of nearby places that share one or more geographic characteristics.

• ​These shared characteristics could be similar physical geography features, such as climate, vegetation, and landforms.

• ​Or the shared characteristics could be similar human and cultural features, such as major industries, ethnic populations, languages spoken, and religions practiced.

​Physical Regions

• ​Physical regions are defined by physical geography characteristics, such as landforms and bodies of water.

• ​One example of a physical region is the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the northeastern part of the United States.

Cultural Regions​

• Cultural regions are defined by human characteristics, such as religion, language, political borders, and economic industries.

• ​Traits of cultural regions include speaking the same language, eating the same foods, and sharing the same religious beliefs.

Open Ended

What is the difference between a physical region and a cultural region?