Where is Africa? Where are the countries featured in Jungle Photos Africa? These are basic questions maps can help answer. But maps can do much more than that. Maps can summarize and synthesize information from vastly different sources such as satellite images, rock cores, and economic information. Such composites can provide a unique perspective, allowing managers and planners to make informed decisions. Modern maps are used to assess the geophysical status of an area, such as rainfall and crop cover. This is a powerful tool for providing early warning of potential problems such as drought and famine.