political map

[tali122]

why is a basic map showing country names and major cities called a political map - wheres the politics?

[Skids]

As National and International boundaries are decided upon by governments and politicians, a Political Map will show these. As opposed to a geographical, or topographical, map which shows geographic features like mountain ranges and such.

[SteveD]

From The Oxford Illustrated Dictionary:

Political:

Of the State or its government.

Political geography:

That dealing with boundaries, divisions and possessions of States.

[parkesquay]

Straight from the dictionary:

A political division is a geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular government entity. On the large scale, a political division is typically a country, while administrative divisions including states, counties, cities, and others can also be defined. It is common to see political divisions drawn out on political maps.

[jno]

think of international politics rather than local party politics.