Which color is most associated with freshwater bodies on a map?

The color most associated with freshwater bodies on a map is blue. This convention stems from the common practice in cartography to represent water using various shades of blue. Freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams are typically depicted in light to dark blue tones, making it easier for map readers to identify these features at a glance. This color choice is intuitive, as the natural appearance of water is blue, particularly in larger bodies where depth and light reflection contribute to this color.

Brown is generally used to represent landforms or elevations, black often indicates boundaries, roads, or structures, and green is typically used for vegetation and forests. These associations help to create a clear and effective visual representation of geographical features on a map.