Final answer:
To display the distribution of oil and natural gas fields in the US, a topographic map is most appropriate as it provides detailed information about the Earth's surface features and elevation, which are critical for understanding geologic formations related to natural resource locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To show the distribution of oil and natural gas fields in the US, the most appropriate map would be a topographic map. A topographic map is a type of map that adds a third dimension (vertical) to provide detailed information regarding the Earth's surface, including elevation changes. This is essential for understanding geologic features and the underlying structures that may influence the presence and accessibility of natural resources like oil and gas.
A political map shows boundaries and locations of various political entities, such as countries or states, and wouldn't provide much information on natural resources. A choropleth map is typically used to represent statistical data through various shading patterns or colors and is not suitable for detailing physical features. A cartogram is a map that alters the size of the states or countries based on a particular variable, such as population size or electoral votes; it is not typically used to show specific geologic data.
Topographic maps have been a crucial product of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), used extensively from the 1880s until the rise of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for analyzing place-based information, including natural resources.