Which type of raster maps are typically NOT continuous?

Raster maps can be classified into different types based on the nature of the data they represent. Continuous raster maps contain data that varies smoothly across the landscape, displaying gradients or continuous changes, such as temperature or elevation. In contrast, certain raster maps represent discrete data, which is categorized into distinct classes without intermediate values.

Scanned maps and land use maps generally illustrate specific categories of land use or land cover, such as urban, agricultural, and forested areas. These representations do not provide a gradual transition from one type of land use to another, making them inherently discrete. Instead, the values assigned to different areas represent specific classifications rather than a continuum of data.

In contrast, digital elevation models, satellite imagery, and 3D topographic maps typically represent continuous data. Digital elevation models display elevation values that transition smoothly across the terrain, satellite imagery captures natural variations in surface characteristics, and 3D topographic maps provide continuous visual representations of topographic features.

The distinction between continuous and discrete data in raster maps is essential for understanding how different types of geographic data are modeled and analyzed in GIS applications.