Final answer:
Prior to 1986, the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) maps were the Flood Hazard Boundary Maps and Preliminary flood maps. Since 1986, the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) is used. The transition reflects technological advancements in map-making and their importance in understanding geographical information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to 1986, the maps published with a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are the Flood Hazard Boundary Maps and the Preliminary flood maps. Since 1986, the map published with an FIS is the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM).
Maps have always played an essential role in understanding and analyzing geographical data. Before the era of advanced technology like GIS software, topographic maps were integral to various analyses, including understanding river paths, flood plains, and other geographical phenomena. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in particular has been known for creating topographic maps, which have become signature products for their utility in displaying the vast American landscape.
When evaluating or working with maps, it's crucial to comprehend the background information they provide, as maps can display a wide array of data such as historical flood paths, the layout of canals, the spread of diseases, and the distribution of genetic variants, each of which can be critical for different branches of study or applications.