What is the primary characteristic of a large-scale map?

A large-scale map is distinguished by its representation of smaller geographic areas and the inclusion of a higher level of detail. This means that features like roads, buildings, and land use can be depicted with accuracy and clarity, allowing for more precise analysis and visualization at a local or regional scale. The relationship between scale and detail is such that as the scale becomes larger (for example, a scale of 1:10,000 is larger than 1:100,000), the area covered becomes smaller, thus enabling the map to show more intricate features and information.

The other options don’t align with this fundamental concept. A large-scale map cannot cover a vast geographic area effectively while retaining minimal details, as this would imply a small-scale map. Similarly, stating that it includes many features with few details contradicts the idea of a large-scale mapping, where detail is an advantage. Lastly, focusing solely on urban areas does not define a large-scale map, as it's possible for large-scale maps to depict rural areas with equal detail. Therefore, the characteristic of detailing smaller areas while maximizing feature representation is the defining quality of large-scale maps.