U.S. and World Geography:  Free Maps

Online Interactive Maps

Europe Online Map United States Online Map Asia Online Map More Online Maps

Printable U.S. State Maps

Maps of all of the states, labeled and unlabeled, for classroom and student use.  Free.

Online Atlas

Map of Pakistan Showing Abbottabad
Maps of the countries of every continent and of every continent.
France Britain (UK) USA Italy Germany China Afghanistan India Japan Brazil Argentina Chile Peru Egypt Sudan Zimbabwe Nigeria More Online Atlas Maps

Map Puzzles

Free online map puzzles.  Online educational software - no downloading or installation; PC or Mac.
Europe Map Puzzle
United States Map Puzzle - States and Capitals
Africa Map Puzzle
China Provinces
More Map Puzzles

Learn US States and Capitals - Map Quiz
US States, Capital and Map Skills - Map Quiz

US Physical Features Map - Cut and Paste  - learn US geography with a hands on paste up (real glue) map.

Print Free Maps Large or Small

Free online software to print outline maps - one page to 7 feet wide.

Megamaps - free maps large and small
Great for classroom maps.

Maps by Place:

World:

    Print World Maps
    Online Atlas Continents and Regions Maps
    Continents Map Puzzle
    World Features Map Puzzle
    World Monuments Map Puzzle

Europe:

    Online Map of Europe
    Online Atlas Maps of the Countries of Europe
    Europe Map Puzzle
    Print Maps of Europe and European Countries

United States:

    Online Atlas maps of the United States
    Make Your Own USA
    Online Map of the United States
    Printable U.S. State Maps - labeled and unlabeled
    United States Map Puzzle - States and Capitals
    United States Features Map Puzzle
    Print Maps Large and Small of the United States and all of the states

Asia:

    China Provinces Map Puzzle
    Online Map of Asia
    Online Atlas maps of the countries of Asia
    Asia Map Puzzle
    Print Maps of Asia and Asian Countries

Africa:

Online Map of Africa
Online Atlas maps of the countries of Africa
Africa Map Puzzle
Print Maps of Africa and African Countries

North America:

North America Map Puzzle
Mexico States Map Puzzle
Online Atlas maps of  North America
Print Maps of North America and North American Countries
Mexico States Map Puzzle

Central America and the Caribbean:

Online Map of Central America
Online Atlas maps of Central America and the Caribbean
Central America Map Puzzle
Print Maps of Central America and Central American Countries

South America:

Online Map of South America
Online Atlas maps of the countries of South America
South America Map Puzzle
Print Maps of South America and South American Countries

Middle East:

Online Map of the Middle East
Online Atlas maps of the countries of the Middle East
Middle East Map Puzzle
Print Maps of the Middle East and Middle Eastern Countries

South East Asia and Australia:

Online Atlas maps of Australia and Oceania
Online Map of Southeast Asia and Australia
Southeast Asia And Australia Map Puzzle
Print Maps of Asia and Asian Countries
Print Maps of Australia and Southeast Asia
 

Mexico:

Online Map of Mexico
Online Atlas Map of Mexico
Print Maps of North America and North American Countries

Canada:

Online Map of Canada
Online Atlas Map of Canada
Canada Map Puzzle
Print Maps of North America and North American Countries

Original Download Map Puzzles

For computers without an Internet connection.
Download and install - PC only.  See links above for newer online Map Puzzles - no download and installation; PC or Mac.

U.S. States and Capitals Map Puzzle
U.S. Features Map Puzzle
Canada Provinces, Territories and Capitals Map Puzzle
World Continents Map Puzzle
World Features Map Puzzle
Europe Map Puzzle
Asia Map Puzzle
Australia and South East Asia Map Puzzle
South America Map Puzzle
Central America and Caribbean Map Puzzle
Africa Map Puzzle
World Monuments Map Puzzle
Middle East Map Puzzle

     Maps that Teach take advantage of the fact that geography is spatial. They also utilize the way kids learn best, by actively participating in their learning; learning by doing.  As students assemble the maps, they build a permanent mental picture of their world.
      From Maps that Teach, a student will learn about the continents and where they are in relation to each other; the countries of the world, their capitals and major cultural landmarks, physical features; what is far and what is near.
     For the United States, students will learn the states, their capitals, major physical features, and important historic routes that established connections between parts of the country. Students need more than a rote memorization of state names and capitals in order to make U.S. geography meaningful. They should have an understanding of where states are in relation to each other, and the physical characteristics of each region. U.S. students should have a permanent mental picture of their country in their heads, so that any thing they learn about their country can immediately be related to a place.
     Maps that Teach are also a lot of fun. They are all played as games, individually or in a group, competitively or not. Can you point to Zimbabwe on a map of Africa? Do you know where the Vietnam war took place? Can you find the Spice Islands (on a map, not in a boat)? Done as a complete program, Maps that Teach will give a student a solid basis in both U.S. and world geography. It is an easy and fun way for your kid to know, "Where in the world am I?"
     Maps that Teach have several different formats of learning maps, to be used in conjunction with each other:

     For each continent or major region of the world, we offer an on-line, interactive map. When the mouse cursor is moved over an area, its name and capital can be seen. These maps can be used to ask, and then check, correct identification of states or countries and their capitals.
     For each of these areas, there is also an interactive map puzzle, in which a country or state appears, to be placed in the correct place on the map. Each map puzzle also has a similar program for learning the capitals. Because they are interactive, map puzzle help students learn a permanent picture of the map.
     Further, there is a map puzzle of major cultural landmarks around the world, and maps of the major physical features of the world, and of the US. It is one thing to learn that the Appalachian mountains run from Maine down into Georgia; actually putting the Appalachians in the proper place on a map makes it memorable.
     We also offer free US and world maps (outline maps) to be printed out on any PC printer, in sizes ranging from a single page to over 7 feet across. Since the maps are free, they can be used freely - tracing the route of Around the World in Eighty Days, or Magellan’s Voyage, or the journey of Lewis and Clark; drawing pictures of the forts along the Oregon Trail; marking trade routes and explorations. Mark, trace, draw, color or write on them—they are meant to be used.

     By using the full range of maps in Maps that Teach—countries, capitals, monuments, mountain ranges, rivers--students will gain a permanent mental map of the US and of the world. They will have the basis of a life-long knowledge of geography, and a beginning to all the knowledge for which geography is the basis.

Suggestions for using the maps in Maps that Teach:

     Each continent's Map Puzzle teaches the name and location of the countries and capitals. A country appears on the screen, with its name, and the student places it in the correct position on a map of the continent. In a similar game, the capital has to be placed in the correct country. A separate game has students place major mountain ranges (Andes, Himalayas, Alps), rivers, deserts and jungles on a map of the world. Learned this way, a basic knowledge of where features are becomes a permanent mental picture. Yet another map teaches the location and significance of major world monuments.
     The United States map puzzle shows a state with its name, to be placed in the correct location. The capitals are then placed (in a separate game) within their state. Students can learn the location of the physical features—mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.—and their location in relation to the state boundaries, to form an enduring mental picture of the U.S.
     On-line interactive maps show the countries and capitals of a continent or region—Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, Middle East or Central America—as the computer mouse moves over the country. Surrounding areas of land or water are also named.
     With on-line interactive maps, students can give an answer, then check it by moving the computer mouse, or one student can label a country and its capitals (with a pencil or pointer), then another can use the computer mouse to check his answer. Another way to use these maps is to print them out, have the student write the country and capital on the map, and then check the answers with the computer.
     MegaMaps will print outline maps on an ordinary PC printer from a single page to over 7 feet across. They can be used to compliment the study of any period of history where there was migration or movement—which is almost all of them. A large version can be printed and used as a puzzle for students to assemble, then the map can be hung on the wall. Younger students may want to cut out pictures and paste on the appropriate places on the map.
     Students can trace anything from the journey of Lewis and Clark to the routes of the Underground Railroad to the main battles of the Civil War on the U.S. map. Any place it would be useful to have a map that can be changed or drawn upon, you can use these free maps. The world maps can be used similarly, to show voyages of discovery, migrations, the spread of empires, etc.

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