What does the color blue represent on a map?

The color blue on a map typically represents water. This includes various water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water features. The use of blue to denote water is a longstanding convention in cartography, helping users to easily identify aquatic areas on a map.

In contrast, other colors are often used to represent different features on a map. For example, green is commonly used to indicate vegetation, while browns and tans might be used for elevation or landforms. Structures and urban areas are often represented in hues such as gray or red. Using color codes like these assists map readers in quickly grasping the geographical context and features presented.