At present, the definition of map is: a symbolic image model that reflects the objective reality with certain mathematical rules (that is, patterning), symbolization and abstraction, or it is called a graphic mathematical model. (1) According to its regional scope, it is divided into: world map, hemisphere map, continental map, ocean map, sea map, national (regional) map, provincial map, city and county map, etc.
(2) According to its special topics, it is divided into: natural map, population map, economic map, political map, cultural map and historical map.
(3) According to its specific application, it can be divided into: reference map, teaching map, topographic map, aviation map, nautical map, coastal map, astronomical map, traffic map, tourist map, etc.
(4) According to its use form, it can be divided into: wall chart, desktop map, atlas (book) and so on.
(5) According to its manifestations, it can be divided into miniature maps, digital maps, electronic maps and image maps.
(6) According to its printing format, it is divided into: 16 format, 8 format, 4 format, folio, full sheet, two full sheets, three full sheets, four full sheets and nine full sheets.
(7) Classification by map: atlas, electronic map, three-dimensional map, satellite map, image map, etc.
According to the content of the map, the map can be divided into three types: ordinary map, topographic map and thematic map. Ordinary map is a map showing the main natural and socio-economic phenomena on the ground in the same degree of detail, which can comprehensively reflect the geographical characteristics of the mapping area, including water system, topography, soil, vegetation, residential areas, traffic networks, boundary lines and major socio-economic factors. The difference between it and topographic map is that it has some flexibility in map projection, framing, scale and representation method, and its representation content is more general than topographic map of the same scale, and its geometric accuracy is lower than topographic map. The topographic map refers to several basic national scales (1:5000, 1: 1 000, 1:25000, 1:50000,1:/kloc- It is measured (or compiled) according to a unified standard and symbol system, and represents all kinds of geographical things in a comprehensive and detailed way. The geometric accuracy is high, which can meet the needs of various maps. It is the basic data for national construction and the original data for compiling other maps. Thematic maps focus on the geographical distribution of one or more natural or socio-economic phenomena, or emphasize some characteristics of these phenomena. Thematic maps have a variety of themes and serve a variety of customers. It can be further divided into natural maps and socio-economic maps. According to its shape, it can be divided into mountains, plateaus, plains, hills and basins.