Which statement best describes the difference between a physical map and a political map, and what information does a map legend provide?

Which statement best describes the difference between a physical map and a political map, and what information does a map legend provide?

• A. A physical map shows weather; political map shows population; the legend explains symbols.
• B. Physical map shows landforms; political map shows boundaries and political units; the legend explains symbols.
• C. Physical maps show time zones; political maps show climates; legend is optional.
• D. Physical maps show ocean depths; political maps show rivers; legend shows scale.

Answer: (B)

Physical maps focus on natural features like landforms and bodies of water, while political maps highlight human-made boundaries and political units such as countries, states, and their capitals. A map legend, or key, explains the symbols and colors on the map so you can read it accurately—for example, what a blue line represents, how mountain shaded areas show elevation, or where a capital city symbol is located. This combination matches the idea that physical maps show natural features, political maps show boundaries and political units, and the legend helps you interpret all the symbols. Other options mix up what these maps typically emphasize (weather or population, time zones or climates, ocean depths or rivers) and may imply the legend isn’t always needed, which doesn’t fit standard map-reading.

Physical maps focus on natural features like landforms and bodies of water, while political maps highlight human-made boundaries and political units such as countries, states, and their capitals. A map legend, or key, explains the symbols and colors on the map so you can read it accurately—for example, what a blue line represents, how mountain shaded areas show elevation, or where a capital city symbol is located. This combination matches the idea that physical maps show natural features, political maps show boundaries and political units, and the legend helps you interpret all the symbols. Other options mix up what these maps typically emphasize (weather or population, time zones or climates, ocean depths or rivers) and may imply the legend isn’t always needed, which doesn’t fit standard map-reading.