Google Maps is a widely used tool for navigation and geographical information. One of the key features that make Google Maps so

user-friendly and informative is its use of colour to convey different types of information. Understanding what these colours mean can help users navigate more effectively and gain insights into the area they are exploring. In this article, we will delve into the various colours used on Google Maps and their significance.

1. Roads and Traffic

Understanding Google Maps’ Color SchemeGoogle Maps employs a well-thought-out colour scheme to represent different features and data points on the map. Each colour has a specific meaning and helps users quickly identify various elements of the landscape and infrastructure.

1. Green : Green is predominantly used to indicate natural features and areas, such as parks, forests, and other green spaces. Darker shades of green usually represent denser vegetation or larger forested areas, while lighter greens might denote smaller parks or recreational areas. This colour helps users quickly locate nature reserves, public parks, and gardens.
2. Blue : Blue is primarily used to depict water bodies. Oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other water features are all marked in various shades of blue. Light blue often represents shallow water or smaller streams, while darker blue can indicate deeper water bodies. This helps users identify rivers and lakes, aiding in navigation and exploration near water.
3. Gray : Gray is used to represent man-made structures and areas such as cities, towns, and individual buildings. Urban areas are usually marked in light grey, while specific buildings and structures might be shown in darker shades. This colour coding helps users differentiate between natural landscapes and built environments.
4. Yellow/Orange : Yellow and orange are used to highlight roadways. Major highways and arterial roads are typically shown in yellow, while smaller roads and streets are marked in white or light grey. Orange might be used to indicate higher traffic volumes or congestion areas. This colour scheme assists in planning routes and understanding the road network’s layout.
5. Red : Red is often used to signal important or hazardous information. On maps showing real-time traffic, red indicates heavy traffic or congestion. It can also be used to mark significant landmarks, points of interest, or emergency locations. This use of red helps users quickly identify critical areas or potential delays.
6. Brown : Brown is typically used for land features like mountains, deserts, and other rugged terrains. It is also used for historical sites and places of interest. This colour helps users understand the topography of an area and locate significant geographical or cultural sites.
7. Purple : Purple is used less frequently but can be found highlighting certain public transport lines or special points of interest. In some cases, purple can denote areas under development or planned routes for future infrastructure projects.Special Color IndicatorsIn addition to these primary colours, Google Maps also uses special colour indicators to convey additional information:Traffic Indicators: Green, yellow, orange, and red are used to show real-time traffic conditions. Green indicates free-flowing traffic, while red signals severe congestion.

Public Transit: Different colours are used to represent various public transit lines, providing a clear and intuitive way for users to navigate complex transit systems. By assigning unique colours to each line, transit maps and signage become more user-friendly, allowing passengers to quickly identify their routes, understand connections, and make informed decisions about their travel. This colour-coding system simplifies navigation, reduces confusion, and enhances the overall efficiency and experience of using public transportation, especially in bustling urban environments where multiple transit lines intersect.

Satellite View: In satellite view, the colours are more natural and closely represent the actual hues of the terrain and structures. This means that features such as forests appear green, bodies of water look blue, and urban areas reflect their true colours, providing a realistic depiction of the landscape. This natural colouring helps in better understanding and analysing the geographical and man-made features of a region, making it easier to recognize and differentiate between various elements on the map.

Natural Features

Green: Green is used extensively to depict natural features. Light green areas represent parks, forests, and other vegetation-covered areas.

Darker green typically signifies denser forests or large parks.

Blue: Water bodies are shown in various shades of blue. Light blue indicates shallow water or smaller water bodies like rivers and lakes, while darker blue signifies deeper or larger water bodies like oceans and seas.

Man-Made Structures

Gray: Urban areas with a lot of buildings and infrastructure are usually shaded in grey. This helps distinguish city areas from natural landscapes.

Brown : This colour is often used to represent areas with a lot of human activity that isn’t urban, such as industrial areas or certain recreational areas.

Terrain

Beige/Light Brown: These colours indicate areas of desert or sparse vegetation.

White: Snow-covered regions or glaciers are often depicted in white.

Yellow: Sometimes used to indicate sandy areas, such as beaches or deserts.

Points of Interest

Blue: Apart from water, blue is also used for various points of interest like hospitals, universities, or large buildings. These are usually marked with specific icons for clarity.

Orange: Often used for restaurants and food-related businesses.

Red: Indicates important places such as landmarks, tourist attractions, or emergency services like fire stations.

Purple: Shopping centres or retail stores might be marked with purple.

Transit

Dark Blue/Black: Major highways and interstates.

Purple: Transit routes, such as buses or trains.

Miscellaneous

Grey Dots: Construction areas or roads under development.

White with Gray Outline: Small residential roads or alleys.

Accessibility Features

Blue with a White Wheelchair Symbol : Indicates wheelchair-accessible routes or locations.

In Conclusion , Google Maps’ use of colour is a sophisticated system designed to provide users with an intuitive understanding of the geography and infrastructure of an area at a glance. By interpreting these colours correctly, users can make more informed decisions about their travel routes, explore new areas efficiently, and better understand the environment they are navigating. The next time you use Google Maps, pay attention to the colours and see how they enhance your navigation experience.