The map of Africa is an example of .... Select one: a. a small scale map b. a large scale map c. a medium scale map d. an extra-large scale map e. an extra-small scale map

Map scale refers to the ratio between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. A small scale map shows a large geographical area (like a continent or a country) with less detail, meaning the ratio's denominator is a large number (e.g., $1:10,000,000$). A large scale map shows a small geographical area (like a city or a neighborhood) with more detail, meaning the ratio's denominator is a small number (e.g., $1:10,000$).

The map displays a significant portion of the African continent, specifically Southern Africa, including multiple countries and surrounding oceans. This indicates that it covers a very large geographical area.

Since the map covers a vast region of the Earth, it sacrifices detail to show a broader overview. Therefore, it is an example of a small scale map.

The correct option is a. a small scale map.