What Is a Physical Map? — Reading Comprehension

A physical map shows the natural features of the land. These features include mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes, and oceans. A physical map helps us understand what the Earth looks like in different places.

Unlike maps that show cities or roads, a physical map focuses on nature. It often uses different colors to show height and land type. For example, green can show low lands like plains or valleys. Brown shows mountains, and blue shows water, like oceans and rivers.

You can use a physical map to see where the Rocky Mountains are, or to find the Mississippi River. People like scientists, travelers, and hikers use physical maps to plan trips or study the land.

Physical maps are important because they help us learn how landforms shape how we live. They show where people might farm, where animals live, and how weather can change based on the land.

Fun Fact: Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, is over 29,000 feet high—and it always shows up brown on a physical map!

What does a physical map show?

What color often shows water on a physical map?

Which of these is a landform shown on a physical map?

What does green often show on a physical map?

Why are physical maps useful? (Cause/Effect)

What is the main idea of this passage?