The term refers to readily available graphical representations of the Earth’s surface that can be downloaded and reproduced at no cost. These resources often come in various formats, such as PDF documents or image files, and can depict political boundaries, geographical features, or thematic data.
The widespread availability of these resources provides significant advantages for educational purposes, geographic studies, and personal reference. Historically, access to cartographic materials was limited, but digital distribution has democratized access to this information. This facilitates broader understanding of global geography and spatial relationships.
Subsequent sections will delve into the different types of these resources, their optimal uses, and considerations for selecting the most suitable one for a given purpose.