The fundamental task of geography teaching is to teach students the knowledge of the structure, interrelation, spatial distribution and the relationship between man and land of natural phenomena and socio-economic phenomena. Applying maps in geography teaching can help us to accomplish this task better. As a carrier of geographic information transmission, maps are rich in content. Any phenomenon with spatial and geographical distribution can be represented by maps, which determines the universality and irreplaceable application of maps in geography teaching. "A class without a map cannot be called a geography class", which is not excessive, because the map is the most common teaching method in geography teaching, and how to use it directly affects the teaching quality. In this sense, the role of maps in geography teaching is very important. 1. The characteristics of geography determine the necessity of applying maps in geography teaching. Geography is a huge system that studies natural phenomena, socio-economic phenomena and their relationships. One of its most remarkable features is to explore the regional distribution law of geological phenomena. When experts and scholars reveal these laws, most of them have formed today's theoretical consensus through personal practice, field observation, sentiment and a lot of research and analysis. This knowledge is indirect knowledge for us, however, it is the source of geographical knowledge for most of us. Because geological images are widely distributed in space, it is impossible for us to practice every geological image in person, and maps just meet our needs. It reduces the vast geographical space to a two-dimensional plane visible to people; It condenses the rich and colorful geographical environment into some exquisite geographical works that people need. In geography teaching, teachers must rely on maps. Only in this way can we present the geographical images of the vast areas, help students intuitively understand various events in the spatial distribution of the vast areas, and gradually form the concept of geographical space in their minds. Otherwise, relying on written narration and oral explanation in teaching can only form mechanical memory, which is neither easy to understand nor easy to consolidate. Once a person's thinking process is stimulated, it must be related, and this connection must have a support, and the map is this support. Through this support, some related geological images can be closely linked. So maps are essential in geography teaching. 2. The application of maps in geography teaching. "Map is the second language of geography, and it should be said that it will always be a more economical and understandable language. Maps make it easy for people to understand many things that are often described in a lot of space in the text, but they can't get the complete effect at all. " Map is a graphic expression of various environments and a carrier for transmitting information. Maps have applications in many fields. Here, I will briefly talk about its application in geography teaching. (1) Use maps to enable students to determine the geographical location of geographical things: maps can determine the geographical location of various geographical things taught by teachers and enable students to acquire various geographical distribution knowledge. For example, when teaching a country or region, we should first point out the geographical position (latitude, longitude and relative position) of this country or region with a map, and form a spatial concept about this country or region; Then, by using various thematic maps, it points out various elements of the natural environment, such as topography, climate, rivers and lakes, various production departments, as well as the geographical distribution and laws of various resources and major cities in this country or region. For example, in the teaching of "Southeast Asia" in the first volume of geography in senior one, we can follow the following ideas: ① Read the map of "Southeast Asia" and ask students to tell that the latitude position of this division is about10 s ~ 28 n → tropical → tropical monsoon climate → tropical rain forest climate → the hydrothermal conditions are very good, and it is natural rubber and oil in the world. ② Read the distribution map of major products in Southeast Asia to understand the distribution of the above tropical cash crops and major minerals. Abundant resources and products provide superior conditions for the economic development of Southeast Asian countries. In this way, students will have a clearer understanding of the causes and consequences of the rich products in Southeast Asia. Geographical location has a great influence on the geographical characteristics of a region. Because of the different latitude position, the sunlight and heat obtained are also different; Because the land and the sea are in different positions, they are affected by the moist airflow in the ocean in different ways. This has a great influence on climate, soil, biology and economic activities. Therefore, it is of great significance for students to master the spatial concepts of various countries and regions in geography teaching. ⑵ Use maps to let students know the shapes of geographical things: In geography teaching, maps can also show the sizes, heights and shapes of various geographical things. For example, the size and shape of continents, oceans, lakes and countries on the earth; The length and type of coastline of a country or region; The length and direction of any river; The height and direction of any mountain range, etc. For example, in the teaching of topography in China, firstly, with the help of the layered color topographic map of China, we can understand the spatial position, regional scope and altitude of the main mountains, plateaus, plains and basins in China, and then find out the rules in the map, and get the basic characteristics of China's rich and diverse topographic types, vast mountains, high terrain in the west and low terrain in the east, and ladder-like distribution. Then, we can use maps to analyze and discuss the influence of topography on China's climate, river flow direction and hydropower resources. It is inferred that this kind of terrain makes the vast area in the east of China deeply influenced by the Pacific Ocean, and makes rivers roll eastward, making China the country with the richest water resources in the world. Finally, the whole paragraph of knowledge is summarized and condensed on the map, so that the knowledge of several pages of books becomes only one map. It can be seen that the application of maps can not only show the ups and downs of Chinese terrain to students at a glance, but also make the knowledge highly summarized and concentrated, thus reducing the learning burden of students. ⑶ Using maps to help students understand the distribution and relationship of geographical things: Maps are the "second language of geography", which can help students understand the written content in silent language and reflect the distribution and causes of geographical things with vivid, vivid and distinctive features. For example, when teaching the "Northwest Area" section of junior high school geography in China in the new textbook, because the development of agriculture and animal husbandry in this area changes with the change of precipitation, revealing this law is the focus and difficulty of this teaching, but the textbook is relatively simple, and it is difficult for students to master it if they follow the book. In order to help students fully understand this law, students can first read the Grassland and Desert Distribution Map in Northwest China. From the map, it is found that the surface vegetation in this area is roughly forest-grassland-desert grassland-desert from east to west. Nature students will ask why the vegetation in this area has changed like this. Then ask the students to check the "Precipitation Distribution Map of China". As can be seen from the map, the annual precipitation in this area is also decreasing from east to west, which finds the root of vegetation change in this area. But a new question has emerged: Why does the precipitation in this area change so much? If you instruct students to read the Map of Location and Topography of Northwest China, you will find the answer. Because the longitude of the east-west intersection in this area is very wide, the east is near the sea, and the water vapor is sufficient, so the precipitation is abundant; The farther to the west and away from the sea, the water vapor is not easy to penetrate, so the precipitation gradually decreases. Water is the lifeblood of agricultural production in northwest China. It can be seen that maps are helpful to clarify the distribution, causes and interaction laws of various geographical things and phenomena on the earth's surface. ⑷ Applying maps to cultivate students' thinking and imagination: By observing and analyzing maps in geography teaching, students' thinking and imagination can also be cultivated. Various geographical things are represented by various map symbols. Teachers should pay attention to guiding students to visualize various map symbols through observation and imagination. At the same time, through observation and analysis, we should also pay attention to linking various geographical things and phenomena, find out their relationship and find out their geographical laws. Using maps to develop students' thinking in images is different from using ordinary intuitive teaching such as landscape pictures, slides and movies. Maps form a general representation in students' minds, which often urges students to have intuitive thinking and enter creative thinking activities. For example, using the topographic map of China to analyze the hydrological and water system characteristics of the Yangtze River, students will come to the conclusion that in mountainous areas, the water flow is fast and the water power is rich, which can generate electricity; In the plain area, the water flow is gentle, which is suitable for navigation and irrigation. Most of the students here are thinking in images, that is, relying on the images in their minds (the running water in the mountains flows downwards from a very high place, and the water is urgent; Flat water is very slow), and you don't need to go through a series of logical thinking first, such as steep terrain → large height difference → large river water level difference → fast flow speed → rich hydraulic power, etc., to get the above understanding. This kind of thinking in images is not bound by the established geographical concepts, laws and theories, and is prone to intuition, that is, thinking of making reasonable guesses, assumptions or suddenly understanding the answers to questions without step-by-step analysis, which is what Pagson calls "rational experience". Many examples prove that intuition plays an inestimable role in invention and creation. 5. Apply maps to educate students about national conditions and patriotism. On the map, students can see the vast territory of the motherland, magnificent rivers and mountains, rich natural resources, vast forests and grasslands, and countless factories and mines. It can stimulate students' enthusiasm for loving, building and defending the motherland. Another example is to guide students to observe the traffic map of China before liberation, and then read the modern traffic map, so that students can further understand the brilliant achievements of China's transportation industry in the past 40 years. At the same time, it should be pointed out that there is still a big gap between the traffic situation in China and the needs of modernization, so as to clarify the national conditions realistically. In addition, in the teaching process, drawing the distribution map of water resources, land resources and mineral resources in China, combined with the per capita possession in the chart data, can enhance students' awareness of natural resources protection in China. Applying maps to cultivate students' interest in learning geography. Due to the extensiveness and remoteness of geographical research objects in time and space, the content involves multidisciplinary knowledge, which is difficult to master simply by relying on students' vision and knowledge. With the help of globes, various geography teaching wall charts, geographical landscape maps, or with the help of audio-visual teaching methods such as TV videos and slides, the teaching content should be vividly displayed in front of students to stimulate students' interest in learning geography. Especially in the current situation of great influence on geography, it is more important to stimulate students' interest in learning geography by various means. 3. Reflections on giving full play to the role of maps in geography teaching: As the second language of geography, maps are the simplification and substitution of all languages, characters or thinking consciousness in geography. The effect of classroom teaching is directly related to the way teachers use maps. The correct use of pictures can make students highly focused and keep pace with the brain, hands, eyes and mouth in class, so that the impression of knowledge in the brain will be deeper and stronger, and the memorized knowledge will be more reliable. So how can we use maps correctly and give full play to the role of maps in geography teaching? The geography syllabus clearly points out that things in geography are widely distributed and it is difficult to observe them directly. Maps must be used frequently in teaching, and students should be guided to read and use maps frequently, so that they can gradually develop the habit of analyzing geographical things with maps. In teaching, students should be trained to be familiar with, read and use maps. Familiarity with maps enables students to have a clear concept of the distribution of oceans, continents, continents, countries, major cities, mountains, rivers and lakes on maps, and to store an accurate map in their minds. Reading a map means that students can acquire various geographical knowledge through various symbols, lines, colors, notes and scales on the map, find out the relationship between various geographical things from the map, and then draw correct conclusions. Using a map is to master the knowledge related to the map, such as the characteristics of latitude and longitude network, the calculation of scale, the measurement of altitude, the drawing of isoline and section map, etc. And use analytical methods to help students understand the internal relations between various geographical things. For example, the impact of geographical location on climate; The relationship between natural conditions and production; The influence of human activities on geographical environment. In geography teaching, we should pay attention to cultivating students' ability of analysis, synthesis, judgment, comparison and reasoning, and maps provide good conditions for developing this kind of intelligence.