| Everyone has at least once been confronted with classical topographic maps - whether at geography lessons, or while travelling. Such maps are famous for creating a very accurate presentation of the area. They display all the objects with scale and using various colors. Although standard topographic maps constitute mostly a composition of symbols that aren't so easy for a customary user to understand. From time to time you need a specialist to explain some features on the map. Whatever the case, it'll take some efforts and time to learn the topography language. Luckily, there are plenty of other methods to depict an area. They are large in number, but may be divided into three main groups:
- Illustrated maps
- Panoramic maps
- Pictorial maps
You can guess what these types of maps represent by their names, but still we'll give some explanation to prevent probable confusion.
In this way, an illustrated map is a topographic map with a number of added illustrations. It signifies that individual objects on the map (for example, churches, places of activity or other features) will be indicated by small icons. This type of maps is the closest one to the standard variant.
A panoramic map may be regarded as a picture of the landscape. Sometimes it's also called a perspective as it depicts a certain region as it is viewed from above. These maps are very accurate about dimensions, but from the other side, various individual objects are hardly recognizable or even not recognizable at all. This kind of maps is popular in certain fields of activity such as ski resorts pictures.
As far as pictorial map is concerned this kind is concentrated on the details, but not at following accurate dimensions. Individual objects are pictured with their distinctive features and, therefore, are easily recognizable. On the other hand, distances don't always conform to the reality, now and then the landscape can be slightly distorted or reduced as the emphasis is placed on the representation of objects. The given type of maps enjoys high popularity thanks to their nice appearance, self-descriptiveness and easiness in use. In spite of scale distortions they are great for navigating when planning a travel or searching for a certain place. |
