Which map color is typically used to indicate water?

The color blue is universally recognized in cartography to represent bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water features on maps. This color choice helps users quickly identify water locations without confusion, as it's consistent across various types of maps, including topographic, political, and physical maps. Using blue for water is a standard convention that aids in clarity, allowing for an intuitive understanding of map elements.

In contrast, other colors have specific purposes in map representations: green often indicates land cover such as forests or parks, brown typically represents elevation or contour lines, and red is commonly used to denote roads or urban areas. Understanding these conventions is essential for effectively reading and interpreting maps.