A cartographic representation displaying the Earth’s surface, specifically highlighting its watercourses with corresponding nomenclature. This visual aid illustrates the geographical distribution of major and minor waterways, often including their names, locations, and relationships to other geographical features. For example, a map might depict the Nile River flowing northward through eastern Africa, clearly labeling its source, tributaries, and eventual delta at the Mediterranean Sea.
Such depictions are vital tools for understanding geography, environmental science, and historical patterns of human settlement. They provide context for studying water resources, transportation networks, and the impact of rivers on shaping landscapes and civilizations. Historically, accurately charting these fluvial systems was crucial for navigation, trade, and territorial claims; modern uses include resource management, flood control, and ecological conservation.
