The maps of Spain are much more than a cartographic tool for geography classes, they are a teaching resource that allows children to form a clearer idea of ​​the country where they live. Through these maps, children can understand how the different autonomous communities, provinces and Spanish cities are distributed, as well as know where the most important rivers, mountains and lakes of the Iberian Peninsula and its islands are located.

However, what many parents do not know is that the maps of Spain are also useful to stimulate children’s cognitive development. The use of maps helps children improve their spatial skills from an early age, while helping them better understand the concept of space. They are also a good resource to encourage creativity and let the imagination fly, in the same way that it contributes to the development of abstract thinking and spatial memory.

So if you want to teach the little ones at home what the country they live in is like, we offer you a selection of some very useful and practical maps of Spain that they will surely love.

7 maps of Spain for the little ones at home

1. Administrative map

As its name indicates, the administrative map of Spain basically focuses on the administrative organization of the Spanish territory, especially with regard to borders and internal divisions. With this map, children will know the main delimitations within Spain, they will be able to identify the different communities and their capitals, as well as know where some of the most important cities in the country are located. Without a doubt, it is a very illustrative map since, in addition to containing the delimitations between the borders, it also has a color distinction, which makes it easier to understand.

2. Physical map

Basically, the physical map of Spain describes the geographical features of the country. With this map, children will be able to identify where the most important mountain systems and mountain ranges in Spain are located, as well as where the main rivers and most representative lakes flow. Depending on the intensity of the colors, which range from dark brown to light green, they will be able to discover the flattest areas, those that have access to the sea, and identify the seas that surround them. Undoubtedly, an excellent resource to test children’s visual-spatial skills and develop their knowledge of geography.

3. Topographic map

This map represents the main topographic features of Spain. Thanks to this, children will not only be able to learn about the main topographical characteristics that distinguish the country, but also the main mountain systems, plateaus and plains that zigzag throughout the national territory. Likewise, they will be able to know the real extension of these systems, which often share space between several regions, as in the case of the Cantabrian Mountain Range that runs parallel to the Cantabrian Sea and that shares land with communities such as Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Castile and León and the Basque Country, and to a lesser extent with Navarra and La Rioja.

4. Relief map

Another simple way for children to understand the geographical features of the terrain is through the relief maps of Spain. The relief map of Spain is nothing more than a three-dimensional representation of the terrain. Unlike the physical map, the relief map offers more realistic representations of the surface of the country, which allows children to get a clearer idea of ​​the different geographical systems that exist in the Spanish territory. Having a higher level of detail is not only easier to understand but also much more interesting and easy to analyze. In fact, for little geography fans, this map can also become a nice detail to decorate their room.

5. Map of the autonomous communities

Sometimes teaching children the different autonomous communities by heart can be monotonous and boring. A more fun and effective trick to get the little ones to learn them is through this map. As its name indicates, it is a representation of the Spanish autonomous communities, with their provinces and capitals. With this map, children will also be able to learn the exact location of each community and what its neighboring regions are, which will help them more easily distinguish the distances between one city and another. Without a doubt, it is an excellent resource for children who are beginning to discover the world around them and are interested in knowing what lies beyond their surroundings.

6. Road map

In Spain all destinations lead to Madrid. However, beyond this basic structure that characterizes the Spanish road system, there are many other connections that children should know about. This map reproduces the main roads that connect the main cities of the Spanish territory, a simple way to teach them how they can get from a starting point to a final destination and what are the best routes to get from one place to another. A very useful resource that will not only help them plan a trip within Spain in the future, but will also help them develop their spatial orientation.

7. Ancient Map

To many children, history seems like a boring sequence of dates and events. A simple and entertaining way to make them change their minds and awaken their interest in their historical past is through this old map of Spain. Basically, it is a map made in Latin that represents the socio-political distribution that existed in the past in the Kingdom of Spain. This makes it an excellent tool for children to learn where they come from, how Spain used to be structured and how the country has changed over the centuries. A way to also explain to them the origin of the cultural and linguistic differences that exist throughout the country and to instill in them respect for each one of them.