Maps (Political) Charts, School Education

Quick Answer: Maps (Political) Charts are political map charts for the classroom wall, showing political divisions such as the countries of the world or a continent, or the states and union territories of India, with boundaries and capitals marked. They are used in geography, social science and general knowledge lessons.

Boundaries, Capitals and Keeping a Map Current

A political map colours each country or state differently so that boundaries stand out, marks national or state capitals with a distinct symbol and names the major cities. Physical detail is kept to a minimum, perhaps the main rivers, so the political pattern reads clearly from the back of the room. Series sold under this title usually cover the world, individual continents and India.

Political maps date faster than physical ones, because boundaries, names and administrative units change. The map of India changed in 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two union territories, and again in 2020, when Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged, leaving 28 states and 8 union territories. Before buying or rehanging a political map, check that it shows these changes.

Students need both kinds of map: the political map explains where people have drawn lines, and a physical map explains the land those lines cross.

Care & Handling

• Hang political map charts where students can walk up to them with a pointer, since the labels on capitals are small.
• Write the edition year on the back of each map and review it whenever boundaries or names change.
• Use top and bottom rollers or a clip rail so the map hangs flat without pins through any country.

Specifications

Applications

• Locating countries, states and capitals in social science lessons
• Following current affairs, such as where an international event is taking place
• Map quizzes and general knowledge competitions
• Teaching the difference between political and physical maps

Why Choose LabEquip

Social science departments usually buy political maps together with the Maps (Physical) Charts, so both views of the same region are at hand, and give students Desk Outline Maps for individual practice. Orders go through the LabEquip contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a political map and a physical map?

A political map shows human-made divisions such as countries, states, boundaries and capitals. A physical map shows natural features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, rivers and seas, usually with colours for height.

How many states and union territories does the current map of India show?

Since January 2020, 28 states and 8 union territories. An older map may show 29 states and 7 union territories, the position before the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why do political maps go out of date?

Countries and states are sometimes created, merged, renamed or have their boundaries redrawn. South Sudan became independent in 2011, for example, and India reorganised several units in 2019 and 2020, so older maps no longer match.

How should students use a political map in class?

Start by reading the key, then locate one country or state at a time with its capital and neighbours. Follow up by marking the same features from memory on an outline map.

Why are neighbouring countries shown in different colours?

Contrasting colours make each boundary easy to see. On a political map the colours carry no meaning of their own, unlike a physical map, where green, yellow and brown indicate height.

Which maps are included in the political series?

Series of this name commonly include the world, the continents and India, but the exact titles vary by edition. List the maps your syllabus needs when you enquire, and LabEquip will confirm which are available.

Last Updated: September 2026