Which option best describes a thematic map?

• A. Thematic map
• B. Topographic map
• C. Choropleth map
• D. Planimetric map

Answer: (A)

A thematic map centers on a specific theme or variable and shows how that feature varies across a geographic area. This makes it the best description because the defining idea is the focus on a theme—such as population density, rainfall, or language distribution—rather than just depicting landforms or coordinates. Topographic maps convey terrain and elevation, not a chosen theme; planimetric maps present horizontal positions of features without relief; and a choropleth map is a common method for showing a theme on a map, but it’s a specific technique within thematic mapping, not the general concept itself. So the option that names the concept directly captures the idea most clearly.