What is the best resource for students needing to use maps to complete an assignment?

An atlas is the best resource for students needing to use maps to complete an assignment because it is specifically designed as a comprehensive collection of maps. Atlases provide detailed representations of geographic areas, including physical and political boundaries, transportation routes, and geographical features, among others. They allow students to explore a variety of locations and understand spatial relationships across different regions, which is essential for many assignments involving geographical analysis.

Compared to other options, while a history textbook may contain some maps relevant to historical events, it doesn't provide the breadth of geographical information that an atlas does. Aerial photography offers visual representations of the Earth's surface but lacks the contextual information and accessibility of standardized maps typically found in an atlas. Online maps can be useful and offer interactivity, but they require access to technology and may not always provide as much in-depth information or context when compared to a dedicated atlas.