Blank US Maps

The United States, Canada, Mexico, and More

Child drawing world map on a blackboard
Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

Geography skills are important for the global citizen to have. Physical, human, and environmental geography are no longer just topics of study in school, they are relevant in many aspects of life and can benefit anyone that desires to know their place on the Earth and the effects they have on it. Skills within this field translate to everyday applications, careers, social lives, and communication as a whole in today's fast-moving society. 

Whether you keep up on world events by religiously watching the news and want to quickly locate a lesser-known region or you just want to keep your brain sharp by learning something new, geography is a useful subject to study.

You will find that you are more capable of having meaningful conversations about a wide range of topics and current events when you are able to recognize and place many countries outside of your own. However you choose to study and use geography in your life, get started with these blank maps.

Blank Maps to Use and Print

The following maps are a great place to begin your exploration of world countries and continents. You will find each inhabited country and continent on at least one of these maps. Many of these include state, province, and territory boundaries as well that you can use to understand the influence of geographical and geopolitical factors around the world even better.

Review them right on your computer or download and print them out—practice in whatever way works best for you. Start by studying countries, states, and territories on the maps. Once you've got these larger regions down, see if you can place geographical features such as mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Map of the United States of America

Blank Map of the United States of America
University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.

The United States of America is considered a world superpower or one of the most influential countries in the world. The official government was founded in 1776 by settlers emigrating from England. The United States is a country of immigrants, as only the Native Americans are truly indigenous to the United States, and this contributes to its extremely diverse population. This country is often called a "melting pot" for this reason.

  • Border countries: Canada to the north, Mexico to the south
  • Continent: North America
  • Primary language: English
  • Oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south
  • Capital: Washington, D.C.
  • States: 50 states, not including the District of Columbia and 14 territories
  • Major geographical features: the Great Lakes, Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, Great Plains, and Great Basin
  • Highest point: Denali (also called Mount McKinley) at 20,335 feet (6,198 m)
  • Lowest point: Death Valley at -282 feet (-86 m)

Map of Canada

Blank Map of Canada
Golbez / Wikimedia Commons / CC SA 3.0

Like the United States, Canada was originally settled as a colony by both the French and British governments. It became an official country in 1867 and is the second-largest country in the world by land area (Russia is first).

  • Border countries: the United States to the south
  • Countries nearby: Russia to the west, Greenland to the east
  • Continent: North America
  • Primary language(s): Officially bilingual (English and French) though most of the population speaks only English—French is spoken in primarily eastern areas
  • Oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Arctic Ocean to the north
  • Capital: Ottawa, Canada
  • Provinces: 10 provinces and three territories
  • Major geographical features: the Rocky Mountains, Laurentian Mountains, Canadian Shield, Arctic, St. Lawrence River, Mackenzie River, Hudson Bay, and Great Lakes
  • Highest point: Mount Logan at 19,545 feet (5957 m)
  • Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 feet (0 m)

Map of Mexico

Blank Map of Mexico
Keepcases / Wikimedia Commons / CC SA 3.0

Mexico is the southernmost country of North America and the largest country in Latin America. Its official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos and this nation declared independence from Spain in 1810.

  • Border countries: the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south
  • Continent: North America
  • Primary language: Spanish
  • Oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the east
  • Capital: Mexico City, Mexico
  • States: 31 states and Mexico City (federal district)
  • Major geographical features: Sierra Madre, Central Plateau, Baja Peninsula, Yucatan Peninsula, Gulf of California, Rio Grande, Lake Chapala, and Lake Cuitzeo
  • Highest point: the volcano Pico de Orizaba at 18,700 feet (5,700 m)
  • Lowest point: Laguna Salada at 32 feet (10 m)

Map of Central America and the Caribbean

Blank Map of Central America and the Caribbean

Cartographic Research Laboratory of the University of Alabama

Central America is an isthmus that bridges North and South America but is technically part of North America. This small region—which is only 30 miles from ocean to ocean at its narrowest point in Darién, Panama—is comprised of seven countries.

Central American Countries

The seven Central American countries and their capitals from North to South are:

  • Belize: Belmopan
  • Guatemala: Guatemala
  • Honduras: Tegucigalpa
  • El Salvador: San Salvador
  • Nicaragua: Managua
  • Costa Rica: San Jose
  • Panama: Panama City

The Caribbean

Many islands are scattered throughout the Caribbean Sea that are also considered part of North America. The largest of these is Cuba, followed by Hispaniola, home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The islands of the Caribbean are divided into two groups: the Bahamas and the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Within the Lesser Antilles are the Windward Islands. This region features many popular tourist destinations such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Map of South America

Blank Map of South America
Stannered / Wikimedia Commons / CC SA 3.0

South America is the fourth largest continent in the world and home to most Latin American countries. This is where you will find the Amazon River and rainforest as well as the Andes Mountains. It is a common misconception that Mexico is part of South America, but this is not the case (Mexico is part of the continent of North America).

This continent features a diverse landscape including high mountains, scorching deserts, and lush forests. Bolivia's La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. There are 12 South American countries and two territories.

  • Oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east
  • Major geographical features: Andes Mountains, Angel Falls (Venezuela), Amazon River, Amazon Rainforest, Atacama Desert, and Lake Titicaca (Peru and Bolivia)
  • Highest point: Aconcagua at 22,841 feet (6,962 meters)
  • Lowest point: Laguna del Carbón at about -344 feet (-105 meters)

South American Countries and Capitals

The 12 countries of South America and their capitals are:

  • Argentina: Buenos Aires
  • Bolivia: La Paz
  • Brazil: Brasilia
  • Chile: Santiago
  • Colombia: Bogotá
  • Ecuador: Quito
  • Guyana: Georgetown
  • Paraguay: Asunción
  • Peru: Lima
  • Suriname: Paramaribo
  • Uruguay: Montevideo
  • Venezuela: Caracas

South American Territories and Capitals

The two territories within South America are:

  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): Stanley
  • French Guiana: Cayenne

Map of Europe

Blank Map of Europe
W!B / Wikimedia Commons / CC SA 3.0

Europe is one of the smallest continents in the world, second only to Australia. This landmass is usually divided into four region: eastern, western, northern, and southern.

There are more than 40 countries in Europe. Because there is no separation between Europe and Asia, a few countries are shared by the two continents. These, called transcontinental countries, include Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkey.

  • Oceans: the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north
  • Seas: the Norweigan Sea, North Sea, Celtic Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Balearic Sea
  • Major geographical features: English Channel, Alps, Ural Mountains, and Danube River
  • Highest point(s): Mount Elbrus in Russia at 18,510 feet (5642 m) and Mont Blanc on the border of France and Italy at 15,781 feet (4,810m)
  • Lowest point(s): the Caspian Sea in Russia at -72 feet (-22 m) and Lemmefjord in Denmark at -23 feet (-7 m)

Map of the United Kingdom

Blank Map of United kingdom
Aight 2009 / Wikimedia Commons / CC SA 3.0

The United Kingdom is comprised of dependent countries Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales. The UK is an island nation in the far western part of Europe and has long been a dominant country in world affairs.

Prior to the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, all of Ireland (shaded in gray) was joined with Great Britain. Today, the island of Ireland is divided into the much larger Republic of Ireland and smaller Northern Ireland, with only Northern Ireland considered part of the United Kingdom.

  • Official name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • Countries nearby: Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands
  • Continent: Europe
  • Primary language: English
  • Oceans: the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the North Sea to the east, the English Channel, and the Celtic Sea to the south
  • Capital: London, England
  • Major geographical features: Thames River, Servern River, Tyne River, and Loch Ness
  • Highest point: Ben Nevis in Scotland at 4,406 feet (1,343 m)
  • Lowest point: The Fens in England at -13 feet (-4 m)

Map of France

Blank Map of France

Eric Gaba (Sting)/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

France, located in Western Europe, features many famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and has long been considered a cultural center of the world. As one of the largest and most populated countries in Europe, it deserves its own map.

  • Bordering countries: Spain and Andorra to the south; Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany to the northeast; Switzerland and Italy to the east
  • Continent: Europe
  • Primary Language: French
  • Bodies of Water: the Bay of Biscay to the west, the English Channel also to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south
  • Capital: Paris, France
  • Regions: 13 immediate (reduced from 22 in 2015) and four overseas
  • Major geographical features: Rhine River and the Pyrenees Mountains
  • Highest point: Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet (4807 m)
  • Lowest point: Rhone River Delta at -6.5 feet (-2 m)

Map of Italy

Blank Map of Italy

Carnby/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Another cultural hub of the world, Italy was famous before it was even an independent country. It began as the Roman Republic in 510 BCE and finally unified as the nation of Italy in 1815.

  • Bordering countries: France to the west, Switzerland and Austria to the north, and Slovenia to the east
  • Continent: Europe
  • Primary language: Italian
  • Bodies of water: the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the west, and the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas to the south
  • Capital: Rome, Italy
  • Provinces: 20 regions containing 110 provinces total
  • Major geographical features: Po Valley, Dolomite Mountains, Sardinia, boot-like shape
  • Highest point: Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet (4807 m)
  • Lowest point: the Mediterranean Sea at 0 feet (0 m)

Map of Africa

Blank Map of Africa

Andreas 06/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

The second-largest continent, Africa is a diverse land in terms of meteorology, biology, and geography. Africa features everything from the world's harshest deserts to the liveliest tropical jungles. The massive region is home to more than than 50 countries.

Egypt is the only transcontinental country on this continent, with its land split between Africa and Asia.

  • Oceans: the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east
  • Seas: the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Guinea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden
  • Major geographical features: the Nile River, African Savanna, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Sahara Desert
  • Highest point: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at 19,341 feet (5,895 m)
  • Lowest point: Lake Assal in Djibouti at -512 feet (-156 m)

Map of the Middle East

Blank Map of the Middle East

Carlos/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

The Middle East is unlike other continents and countries in that it is difficult to define. This region is located where Asia, Africa, and Europe meet and includes many Arabic countries. 

"The Middle East" is used as both a cultural and political term that often includes the following countries:

  • Egypt
  • Palestine
  • Lebanon
  • Syria
  • Jordan
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Yemen
  • Israel
  • Oman
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Turkey
  • Libya
  • Bahrain
  • United Arab Emirates

Map of Asia

Blank Map of Asia

Haha169/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Asia is the largest continent in the world both in population and area. It includes vast and heavily populated countries such as China, Russia, India, and Japan as well as all of Southeast Asia and much of the Middle East. Asia is also home to the islands of Indonesia and the Philippines.

  • Oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Arctic Ocean to the North
  • Seas: the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, East China Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, East Siberian Sea, and the Bering Sea
  • Major geographical features: the Caucasus Mountains, Indian Subcontinent, Himalaya Mountains, Tien Shan Mountains, Ural Mountains, Deccan Plateau, Tibetan Plateau, West Siberian Plain, Rub' al Khali Desert, Lake Baikal, Yangtze River, Tigris River, and the Euphrates River 
  • Highest point: Mount Everest in China's Tibet at 29,029 feet (8,848 m)— this is the tallest point in the world
  • Lowest point: the Dead Sea at -1,369 feet (-417.5 m)

Map of China

Blank Map of China

Wlongqi/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

China has been a world cultural leader for centuries and its origins date back more than 5,000 years. It is the third-largest country in the world by land and the largest by population.

  • Bordering countries: 14 countries in total
  • Continent: Asia
  • Primary language: Mandarin Chinese
  • Bodies of water: the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the west, and the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas to the south
  • Capital: Beijing, China
  • Provinces: 23 provinces as well as five autonomous regions and four municipalities
  • Major geographical features: the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Mount Everest, Yangtze River, Li River, Qinghai Lake, Yellow River, Mount Taishan, and Mount Huashan
  • Highest Point: Mount Everest in Tibet at 29,035 feet (8,850 m)
  • Lowest Point: Turpan Pendi at -505 feet (-154 m)

Map of India

Blank Map of India

Yug/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Officially called the Republic of India, this large Asian country lies on the Indian subcontinent, situated in the Indian Ocean. India is just behind China as the most populous nation in the world but is expected to surpass it in a matter of years. 

  • Bordering countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Burma to the east; China and Nepal to the north; Pakistan to the west
  • Countries nearby: Sri Lanka
  • Continent: Asia
  • Primary language(s): Hindi and English
  • Bodies of water: the Arabian Sea, Laccadive Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean
  • Capital: New Delhi, India
  • States: 28 states and seven union territories
  • Major geographical features: Himalayan Mountains, Indus River, Ganges River, Brahmaputra RIver, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain
  • Highest point: Kanchenjunga at 28,208 feet (8,598 m)
  • Lowest point: the Indian Ocean at 0 feet (0 m)

Map of The Phillippines

Blank Map of the Philippines

Hellerick/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

A nation in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands. In 1946, the country became fully independent and is now officially known as the Republic of the Philippines.

  • Countries nearby: Taiwan and China to the north, Vietnam to the west, and Indonesia to the south
  • Continent: Asia
  • Primary language(s): Filipino and English
  • Bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, and the Celebes Sea
  • Capital: Manila, Philippines
  • Provinces: 80 provinces
  • Major geographical features: Luzon Strait, three geographic regions (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao)
  • Highest point: Mount Apo at 9,691 feet (2,954 m)
  • Lowest point: the Philippine Sea 0 feet (0 meters)

Map of Australia

Blank Map of Australia

Golbez/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Australia, nicknamed "the Land Down Under", is the smallest continent and largest island in the world. Settled by the English with murky origins, Australia began to claim its independence in 1942 and sealed the deal with the Australia Act of 1986.

  • Countries nearby: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the north, New Zealand to the east
  • Continent: Australia
  • Primary language: English
  • Bodies of water: the Indian Ocean, the Timor Sea, the Coral Sea, the Tasman Sea, the Great Australian Bight, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Ocean
  • Capital: Canberra, Australia
  • States: six states and two territories
  • Major geographical features: the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Snowy Mountains, Mount McClintock, Mount Menzies, Mount Kosciuszko, River Murray, Darling River, Great Victoria Desert, and the Great Sandy Desert
  • Highest point: Mount McClintock at 11,450 feet (3,490 m)
  • Lowest point: Lake Eyre at -49 feet (-15 m)

Map of New Zealand

Blank Map of Antigoni

Antigoni/Wikimedia Commons/​CC BY 3.0

Just 600 miles off the Australian coast, New Zealand is one of the largest island nations in the South Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two distinct regions referred to as North Island and South Island. These islands are still fighting for independence.

  • Countries nearby: Australia to the west
  • Continent: Oceania
  • Primary language: English, Maori
  • Bodies of water: the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean
  • Capital: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Regions: 16 regions
  • Major geographical features: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngaurahoe, White Island, Tongariro National Park, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Canterbury Plains, and Marlborough Sounds
  • Highest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook at 12,316 feet (3,754 m)
  • Lowest point: the Pacific Ocean at 0 feet (0 m)
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Your Citation
Rosenberg, Matt. "Blank US Maps." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/blank-us-maps-and-other-countries-4070241. Rosenberg, Matt. (2023, April 5). Blank US Maps. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/blank-us-maps-and-other-countries-4070241 Rosenberg, Matt. "Blank US Maps." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/blank-us-maps-and-other-countries-4070241 (accessed March 19, 2024).