What type of map would you use to identify countries and their boundaries?

The appropriate type of map to identify countries and their boundaries is a political map. Political maps are specifically designed to show governmental boundaries of countries, states, and counties, as well as the locations of major cities. They often use different colors or shades to distinguish between different political units, allowing for an easy visual representation of how the world is divided politically.

In contrast, while a physical map focuses on the physical features of the landscape, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes, it does not highlight political boundaries. A topographic map provides detailed information about the terrain's elevation and landscape contour but similarly lacks emphasis on political divisions. A climate map would illustrate various climatic zones and weather patterns, which is unrelated to the identification of country boundaries. Thus, when the goal is to identify countries and their respective boundaries, the political map is the most suitable option.