What are mental maps and how do we use them in geographic studies?

Mental maps are a mix of objective knowledge and subjective perceptions: precise knowledge about the location of geographic features as well as impressions of places, rough estimates of size and location, and a general sense of the connections between places.

What are mental maps and how do we use them?

Mental maps are the internal images we create to reflect spatial arrangements and their meanings in our world. They are formed as we get to know more about what’s around us, both near and far, small or big. These mental maps help us to navigate around, to organize information to recall later, and to create meaning.

What is an example of a mental map?

Talk about times when you have used mental maps, for example, when walking to school, taking a car ride to the grocery store, planning the quickest shortcut to get to friend’s house, or imagining a fantasy world from a novel. Next, explore different kinds of places in your community and how you feel about them.

What is a mental map in AP human geography?

So, basically, a mental map is a map that is made to reflect an individual’s understanding and knowledge of their geographic area.