Map vs. Picture: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
A map is a visual representation of an area, depicting specific geographical features and relationships, while a picture is a visual representation of an object, scene, person, or abstraction captured or created visually.
Key Differences
A map is essentially a scaled and detailed visual representation of spatial concepts, created to depict geographical locations, features, and relationships between different elements within an area. It serves as a navigational tool, providing users with the ability to understand, analyze, and traverse geographical landscapes. In contrast, a picture is a broad term used to describe a visual representation or image of any object, scene, person, or idea, typically captured or created using a camera or artistic mediums. It serves to portray, document, or express visual aspects and can be realistic or abstract, depending on the intent and style.
Maps and pictures, while both visual representations, hold distinct purposes and convey different types of information. A map is intended to provide accurate spatial information and context about a specific area, aiding in navigation and geographical understanding. It employs symbols, scales, and legends to convey meaning. Pictures, however, are aimed at representing visual information, capturing moments, scenes, or concepts, and can evoke emotions, thoughts, and narratives without the need for standardized symbols or scales.
In terms of creation, maps and pictures involve different processes and considerations. The creation of a map requires meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and scale, often involving geographical surveys, measurements, and cartographic skills to ensure reliability and correctness. On the other hand, creating a picture may involve artistic skills, photography techniques, and compositional considerations, focusing on aesthetics, perspective, and subject matter to convey the desired visual effect.
While maps are specifically tailored to represent geographical information and are bound by accuracy and scale, pictures offer a more flexible and diverse medium for visual representation. Pictures can encompass a wide range of styles, genres, and mediums, from photographs to paintings, allowing for artistic expression and interpretation. Maps, with their utilitarian function, remain an indispensable tool for understanding the world's geography, planning routes, and studying landscapes, serving a more functional and informative role.
In the realms of utility and expression, maps and pictures are indispensable in their respective domains. Maps, with their objective representation of geographical spaces, enable individuals to navigate, explore, and comprehend the spatial relationships in the world around them. Pictures, in their myriad forms, serve as windows to diverse realities, moments, and imaginations, allowing viewers to see, feel, and interpret the world from different perspectives and through various lenses.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To depict geographical locations and features for navigation
To visually represent an object, scene, person, or abstraction
Information
Provides spatial information and context
Captures and conveys visual information
Creation
Requires accuracy, scale, and geographical knowledge
Involves artistic or photographic skills and composition
Flexibility
Specific and standardized in representation
Diverse in styles, genres, and mediums
Utility
Used for navigation, exploration, and geographical understanding
Used for documentation, expression, and portrayal
ADVERTISEMENT
Map and Picture Definitions
Map
To associate or link with something.
The software can map the input to the correct database fields.
Picture
An image formed in the mind; a mental image or idea.
He had a clear picture of how he wanted his future to be.
Map
To create a detailed outline or plan.
They decided to map out the project’s timeline in advance.
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Map
To explore and record an area’s details.
The team will map the ocean floor to study its topography.
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Map
A representation, usually on a plane surface, of a region of the earth, intended primarily to provide information about the relative location or nature of features within that region.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Map
A similar representation of a region of the sky or of a celestial object
A map of the constellations of the southern hemisphere.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Map
Something that suggests such a representation, as in clarity of representation
A map of the human genome.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Map
(Mathematics) The correspondence of elements in one set to elements in the same set or another set.
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Map
(Slang) The human face.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Map
(Genetics) A genetic map.
Picture
A movie.
Map
To make a map of.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Map
To depict as if on a map
Grief was mapped on his face.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Map
To explore or make a survey of (a region) for the purpose of making a map.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Map
To plan or delineate, especially in detail; arrange
Mapping out her future.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Map
(Genetics) To locate (a gene or DNA sequence) in a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known genes or DNA sequences.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Map
(Mathematics) To establish a mapping of (an element or a set).
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Map
A visual representation of an area, whether real or imaginary, showing the relative positions of places and other features.
A map of Australia, a map of Lilliput
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Map
A graphical or logical representation of any structure or system, showing the positions of or relationships between its components.
A map of the Earth's magnetic field
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Map
(mathematics) A function. Category:en:Functions
Let be a map from to
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Map
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Araschnia (especially, Araschnia levana) and Cyrestis, having map-like markings on the wings.
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Map
The face.
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Map
An imaginary or fictional area, often predefined and confined, where a game or a session thereof takes place.
I don't want to play this map again!
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Map
(computing) associative array.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Map
(transitive) To represent by means of a map.
This large atlas maps the whole world in very great detail.
Figure 3 maps the pressure distribution within the human circulatory system.
Picture
A figure; a model.
Map
(transitive) To create a map of; to examine or survey in order to gather information for a map.
The team is mapping the route of the new railway line.
The space probe is mapping the Earth's gravitational field.
This equipment is designed to map the neurons of the human brain in three dimensions.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Map
To have a direct relationship; to correspond.
This doesn't map to my understanding of how things should work.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Map
To create a direct relationship to; to create a correspondence with.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Map
To act as a function on something, taking it to something else.
maps to , mapping every to .
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Map
To assign a drive letter to a shared folder.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Map
A representation of the surface of the earth, or of some portion of it, showing the relative position of the parts represented; - usually on a flat surface. Also, such a representation of the celestial sphere, or of some part of it.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Map
Anything which represents graphically a succession of events, states, or acts; as, an historical map.
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Map
To represent by a map; - often with out; as, to survey and map, or map out, a county. Hence, figuratively: To represent or indicate systematically and clearly; to sketch; to plan; as, to map, or map out, a journey; to map out business.
I am near to the place where they should meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Map
A diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Map
A function such that for every element of one set there is a unique element of another set
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Map
Make a map of; show or establish the features of details of;
Map the surface of Venus
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Map
Explore or survey for the purpose of making a map;
We haven't even begun to map the many galaxies that we know exist
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Map
Locate within a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known DNA or gene sequences;
Map the genes
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Map
Plan, delineate, or arrange in detail;
Map one's future
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Map
Depict as if on a map;
Sorrow was mapped on the mother's face
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Map
To establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Map
A graphical representation of an area.
He used a map to navigate through the city.
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Map
A diagrammatic representation of a process or relationship.
The scientist drew a map to represent the metabolic pathways.
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Picture
A visual representation or image captured or created.
She took a beautiful picture of the sunset.
Picture
A moving or still visual representation; a movie or a photograph.
We watched a picture about space exploration.
Picture
A detailed description in words.
The book painted a vivid picture of medieval society.
Picture
An impression or image of something.
The interview will give us a better picture of her capabilities.
FAQs
Can a picture be considered art?
Yes, many pictures, such as photographs and paintings, are considered forms of art.
Can a map be considered a picture?
While different, a map can be considered a type of picture, as it is a visual representation.
Can a map be created digitally?
Yes, many maps are now created and available digitally.
Is a photograph the only form of a picture?
No, a picture can be any visual representation, including drawings, paintings, and digital images.
Can a picture represent abstract ideas?
Absolutely, many pictures, especially artworks, represent abstract concepts and emotions.
Are maps only physical representations?
No, maps can also represent abstract concepts like the internet or the human brain.
Can a picture be interactive?
Yes, some digital pictures or artworks can be interactive, allowing viewer participation.
Do all maps have a scale?
Most maps have a scale to represent distances accurately, but not all maps may have it explicitly stated.
Can pictures be used for navigation?
While not designed for navigation, some pictures, like photographs, can aid in finding locations.
Are maps always drawn or printed?
No, maps can also be digital, interactive, or created using different media.
Are all maps geographically accurate?
Most maps aim for accuracy, but some may have distortions due to scale and projection.
Are all pictures realistic?
No, pictures can be abstract, surreal, or stylized, representing different degrees of realism.
Can a picture be three-dimensional?
Yes, pictures like sculptures and installations can be three-dimensional.
Can maps have different perspectives?
Yes, maps can be drawn from different perspectives, like top-down or isometric views.
Can a map represent time?
Yes, some maps, like historical or geological maps, can represent changes or events over time.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
