Kinds of Maps Worksheets Grades 5-6 - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to match each description with the correct map type from the box.

We have these map types to choose from:
- Cartogram
- Political Map
- Climate Map
- Contour
- Floor Plan
- Pictorial
- Physical Map
- Globe
- Road Atlas
- Geologic
- Nautical
- Aerial
- Population Map
- Street Map

Now, let’s read each clue and think about what kind of map it describes.

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1. uses pictures to give information about place

→ This is a Pictorial map — it uses drawings or icons (like trees, buildings) instead of just lines and symbols.

✔ Match: Pictorial

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2. used by sailors to find their way

→ Sailors use maps for water navigation → that’s a Nautical chart/map.

✔ Match: Nautical

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3. shows where to find different rock formations

→ Rock formations = geology → so this is a Geologic map.

✔ Match: Geologic

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4. shows the layout of a room

→ That’s like a blueprint of a house or building → called a Floor Plan.

✔ Match: Floor Plan

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5. shows the landforms of the area

→ Landforms = mountains, rivers, valleys → that’s a Physical Map.

✔ Match: Physical Map

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6. shows where highways and other roads go

→ For driving around cities or countries → could be Road Atlas or Street Map. But “highways and other roads” sounds more like a whole region → Road Atlas fits better here.

Wait — actually, “Street Map” is usually for city streets. “Road Atlas” is for bigger areas with highways. Let’s check #7 too.

But let’s hold on — maybe we’ll come back if needed.

Actually, looking at #7: “shows the land from a bird’s-eye view” → that’s likely Aerial.

So #6: “shows where highways and other roads go” → probably Road Atlas (since it covers many roads over large areas).

But wait — sometimes “Street Map” can also show roads. However, since “Road Atlas” is in the list and specifically refers to collections of road maps, and “Street Map” is more local, let’s assign:

#6 → Road Atlas

#7 → Aerial (bird’s-eye view = photo from above)

But let’s double-check later if any conflict.

Actually, let’s look again:

Maybe #6 should be Street Map? No — street maps are for small areas like neighborhoods. Highways span regions → Road Atlas is better.

Alternatively, perhaps “Street Map” isn’t even needed? Let’s see all clues first.

Hold on — there’s also “Political Map” which hasn’t been used yet. And “Population Map”, etc.

Let’s keep going.

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7. shows the land from a bird’s-eye view

→ Taken from airplane or satellite → Aerial map/photo.

✔ Match: Aerial

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8. shows statistics in diagrams on a map

→ Like pie charts or bar graphs drawn on regions → that’s a Cartogram.

Example: a map where country sizes change based on population.

✔ Match: Cartogram

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9. helpful when researching weather

→ Weather patterns, temperature zones → Climate Map

✔ Match: Climate Map

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10. shows the highs and lows of the landscape

→ Elevation changes → shown with contour lines → Contour map.

✔ Match: Contour

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11. a spherical map of Earth

→ Round globe → Globe

✔ Match: Globe

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12. shows how people are spread out over the land

→ Where populations live → density, numbers per area → Population Map

✔ Match: Population Map

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Now, what’s left?

Used so far:

1. Pictorial
2. Nautical
3. Geologic
4. Floor Plan
5. Physical Map
6. ???
7. Aerial
8. Cartogram
9. Climate Map
10. Contour
11. Globe
12. Population Map

Leftover map types from original list:

Original list had 14 items:

Cartogram ✔
Political Map ❓
Climate Map ✔
Contour ✔
Floor Plan ✔
Pictorial ✔
Physical Map ✔
Globe ✔
Road Atlas ❓
Geologic ✔
Nautical ✔
Aerial ✔
Population Map ✔
Street Map ❓

So unused: Political Map, Road Atlas, Street Map

And we haven’t assigned #6 yet.

Clue #6: “shows where highways and other roads go”

This could be either Road Atlas or Street Map.

But “Road Atlas” typically contains multiple maps covering large areas (like entire provinces or countries), showing major roads/highways.

“Street Map” is usually one map of a single city/town showing local streets.

Since the clue says “highways and other roads”, plural, and doesn’t specify a city, Road Atlas is more appropriate.

Then what about Street Map? Is there another clue?

Looking back — no, only 12 clues. So two map types will not be used? Wait — original list has 14 terms, but only 12 questions. So yes, two won’t be used.

Which ones? We’ve used 12 already except #6.

Wait — I think I made a mistake earlier.

Let me recount assignments:

Assigned:

1. Pictorial
2. Nautical
3. Geologic
4. Floor Plan
5. Physical Map
6. [not done]
7. Aerial
8. Cartogram
9. Climate Map
10. Contour
11. Globe
12. Population Map

That’s 11 assigned + #6 pending = 12 total.

Unused from list: Political Map, Road Atlas, Street Map → three unused? But only 12 questions → so two should remain unused.

Wait — original list:

Row 1: Cartogram, Political Map, Climate Map, Contour → 4
Row 2: Floor Plan, Pictorial, Physical Map, Globe → 4
Row 3: Road Atlas, Geologic, Nautical, Aerial → 4
Row 4: Population Map, Street Map → 2? Wait no — row 4 says: Population Map, Street Map, Aerial — wait no, let's count properly.

From image text:

Box contents:

First column: Cartogram, Floor Plan, Road Atlas, Population Map → 4
Second: Political Map, Pictorial, Geologic, Street Map → 4
Third: Climate Map, Physical Map, Nautical, Aerial → 4
Fourth: Contour, Globe → 2? Wait no — fourth column: Contour, Globe — that’s only two? But visually it’s arranged as 4 columns.

Actually, looking at your transcription:

You wrote:

Cartogram | Political Map | Climate Map | Contour
Floor Plan | Pictorial | Physical Map | Globe
Road Atlas | Geologic | Nautical |
Population Map | Street Map | Aerial |

Wait — third row ends with Nautical, then blank? Fourth row: Population Map, Street Map, Aerial — so Aerial is under third column? Actually, in your initial listing you said:

"Cartogram, Political Map, Climate Map, Contour, Floor Plan, Pictorial, Physical Map, Globe, Road Atlas, Geologic, Nautical, Aerial, Population Map, Street Map"

That’s 14 items.

Yes: 14 map types, 12 questions → 2 will not be used.

Back to #6: “shows where highways and other roads go”

Best fit: Road Atlas — because atlases contain maps focused on roads/highways across regions.

Then Street Map might be redundant or less fitting.

What about Political Map? Not used yet. Does any clue fit political boundaries? None of the 12 mention borders, capitals, countries — so probably not needed.

Similarly, Street Map — none say “city streets” or “neighborhood”.

So safest:

#6 → Road Atlas

Leaving Political Map and Street Map unused — which is fine.

But wait — let’s verify if “Street Map” could fit anywhere else.

No — all other clues are taken.

Alternatively, maybe #6 should be Street Map? Unlikely — highways aren't typically on street maps; they’re on road maps/atlases.

Another thought: sometimes “Road Atlas” is a book, while “Street Map” is a single sheet. But the question says “map type”, so both are valid types.

Given that, and since “highways” imply longer-distance travel, Road Atlas is better.

Final decision:

1. Pictorial
2. Nautical
3. Geologic
4. Floor Plan
5. Physical Map
6. Road Atlas
7. Aerial
8. Cartogram
9. Climate Map
10. Contour
11. Globe
12. Population Map

All matched. Unused: Political Map, Street Map — acceptable.

Double-checking each:

1. Pictures → Pictorial ✔️
2. Sailors → Nautical ✔️
3. Rock formations → Geologic ✔️
4. Room layout → Floor Plan ✔️
5. Landforms → Physical Map ✔️
6. Highways/roads → Road Atlas ✔️
7. Bird’s-eye → Aerial ✔️
8. Statistics/diagrams → Cartogram ✔️
9. Weather research → Climate Map ✔️
10. Highs/lows → Contour ✔️
11. Spherical Earth → Globe ✔️
12. People spread → Population Map ✔️

Perfect.

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Final Answer:
1. Pictorial
2. Nautical
3. Geologic
4. Floor Plan
5. Physical Map
6. Road Atlas
7. Aerial
8. Cartogram
9. Climate Map
10. Contour
11. Globe
12. Population Map