Which color on a map often represents populated areas?

Red is commonly used on maps to represent populated areas, such as cities, towns, or significant urban developments. This color is visually striking and easily distinguishable, making it effective for highlighting areas where human activity is concentrated.

Unlike other colors that might represent different natural features or land classifications, red's association with population centers has become a standard in cartography. For example, in many topographical maps and various types of thematic maps, red is utilized to draw attention to areas of human settlement, facilitating easier identification for navigators and users of the map.

Brown often represents elevation or contour lines, while blue typically denotes water features such as rivers, lakes, or seas. Green is usually reserved for vegetation or rural land, indicating a lack of dense structures and, thus, less population density.