how to create a custom map in google maps

Maps are a terrific way to learn about geography. Maybe you're looking to explore the country and learn about it while you're planning for or dreaming about a trip. Maybe you're a homeschool parent or you're just looking for a way to supplement what your kids are learning in school. The nice thing is, you don't have to spend a ton of money on expensive maps. In fact, you can find plenty of free printable maps of the United States with different options that fit your needs. Here are some of the best places to find free printable U.S. maps:

The National Map Website

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a wonderful website with a wealth of high quality maps of the United States and North America. You can find blank maps, maps with bright colors, maps that highlight bodies of water – you name it, you can find it here. The site even has several options of maps for every state and some territories. For a teacher or homeschool parent, you can even find maps that have no labels on them at all so that you can quiz your kids. They're all free and easy to download, and you may even find yourself becoming addicted to all the incredible choices.

You may think of Pinterest at the place to go for home decorating ideas and recipes. But the popular idea cataloguing website offers loads of options for printable maps. Just go to the site and search "printable United States maps," and you'll come across hundreds of printable maps and even ideas for activities to go with the maps you've printed. From simple outline maps to detailed full-color maps to fun maps with special patterns or stylized lettering, you're likely to find multiple options for high quality printables. One of the best things about Pinterest is that you can pin the ideas that you like best to a board to save for printing later.

50States.com

This fun and comprehensive resource website has several options for printable maps. You can download and print maps with state names and capitals filled in, or you can print blank maps. You'll also find blank state maps that you can download and print, as well as links to other sites where you can find free maps. While you're there, you can enjoy the tons of facts and quizzes about the states that you can find on the site. 50States.com is a great place to find printable maps, but it's also a great way to learn more about the country.

Wikimedia Commons

If you're looking for all kinds of maps that you can print and use at home, Wikimedia Commons has an astonishing array of maps of all kinds. You can find simple geographical maps, historical maps, topographical maps and pretty much anything in between. You'll find color maps and black and white maps. You have to watch the permissions for any of the maps you find if you're looking for maps to share. Otherwise, if you can't share them, you can have them for personal use. There's practically an entire library of maps at your fingertips when you search on Wikimedia Commons.

Resource Websites for Teachers

There are a ton of websites that offer free resources for teachers and homeschool parents, and those sites have plenty of printable maps. If you're looking to find maps for kids, these websites are some of your best bet. On these resource sites, you can find maps that publishers and other teachers have geared specifically for different ages of children. Some of them offer loads of information, while others are perfect for testing students. You can find maps for coloring, as well options you probably never thought of. Give these sites a try and see if you can find exactly what you're looking for.