PLSS Map

PLSS Map: A map used based on the PLSS method. PLSS stands for Public Land Survey System. It is a method used in the United States to survey an identify land parcels.

This PLSS map shows the results of the "Toledo War" in Ohio. Ohio wanted the upper left pink strip of land for a "Canal-Age" building spree. The results were that Michigan obtained an upper peninsula and Ohio got the Toledo Strip.http://www.usboundaries.com/plssohio.gif

Cadastral Map

Cadastral Map: A map showing boundaries and subdivisions made to record ownership and rights in land and to describe and establish the value of property, usually for the purpose of tax assessment.

This cadastral map is from the 18th century. It shows land registers, churches, quarters and borders.http://img.kb.dk/ha/boghist/kob/kbhkort1750_1%28270h%29.jpg

Themetic Map

Thematic Map: A map intended to show the distribution of one or more features or characteristics over all or a portion of the surface of the earth. They can be quantitative or qualitative.

This is a thematic map showing the rates of teenage(under 18) conception rates in London. It uses a color scale to represent the high and low rates of the data over different regions in London.http://www.lho.org.uk/HIL/Lifestyle_and_Behaviour/Attachments/Image_Files/SexualHealth_Map1.jpg

Topographic Map

Topographic Map: A map for which the primary purpose is to locate, identify, and depict the measurable form of geographic features on a portion of the surface of the earth, within the limits of scale, usually by the use of contours, shading, hachures, and/or other means of representing relief. Sometimes they include cultural features such as roads, bridges, building, etc.

This is a topographic map of the Alps. It shows the height and steepness of the mountains due to shading and outlining of the mountains. The shadows help make it look realistic as if it were what it would look like if you would looking down onto the landscape from the sky.http://www.cosleyhouston.com/images/photos/alps-ski/map-chanrion-vignettes.JPG

Planimetric Map

Planimetric Map: A map on any scale showing only the relationships of surface features(locations and distances) on a horizontal plane, with no indications of vertical relief.

This is a planimetric map showing the continent of Africa. It shows borders between countries and distances from different regions, but there is no indication of mountains or any other vertical aspect of the land.http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/maps/MAPAFRICA054L.JPG

Mental Map

Mental Map: A map which represents the perception and knowledge a person has of an area or idea.

This is a mental map of someone who is trying to plan out an outline on the topic of vending machines. It shows that the person's main topic was vending machines and it shows how her thoughts branched out to the "where" and "what" of the topic. From there, it shows a web of other ideas branching off from those sub-topics. http://www.marketposition.com/blog/archives/boring_sites_mind_map_.gif