What is a map?

A map is fundamentally defined as a line drawing or representation of a portion of the Earth's surface, as seen from above, utilizing color and symbols to convey various geographic features and information. This interpretation serves several practical functions, such as navigation, land use planning, and a visual representation of spatial relationships among different locations or features.

Maps employ various colors, symbols, and scaling techniques to communicate complex geographic data about terrain, political boundaries, population distribution, and natural resources, making geographic information accessible and understandable at a glance. Their two-dimensional representation allows users to comprehend distances, directions, and the layout of physical entities effectively.

While other options describe different forms of representation, they do not capture the essential characteristics of a map. A diagram of the Earth's core is entirely focused on geology, a three-dimensional model of the Earth lacks the two-dimensional abstraction essential for maps, and a satellite image does not traditionally employ the symbols and representations characteristic of maps, instead providing a photographic view of the surface. Thus, the line drawing that maps represent is key to their unique function and purpose.