A map is more than just a picture of a place. A map is a visual representation; it has words to identify places and symbols to identify different features (railroads, streams, churches, etc.). A map is made to give the reader a sense of a place. Maps are also created for a purpose; in other words, every map does not show everything about a place, otherwise it would be too hard to read. A map may be made to show land, to show streets for directions, to show transportation (like a bus map), or any number of other things.