What type of map shows physical features such as mountains and lakes?

A physical map is designed specifically to depict the natural features of the Earth’s surface, including mountains, rivers, lakes, and other landforms. These maps use various colors and shading to represent elevation and terrain types, which helps to convey the three-dimensional aspect of the landscape, allowing viewers to understand the topography of an area more clearly.

In contrast, political maps primarily focus on boundaries, such as countries, states, and cities, and do not provide detailed information on physical features. Thematic maps highlight specific themes or subjects (such as population density or climate) rather than physical geography. Aerial maps, while they may show features from a bird’s-eye view, are photographs rather than representations specifically designed to illustrate physical landforms in a stylized manner.

Thus, the physical map is the most accurate type of map for showing features such as mountains and lakes, fulfilling the question's requirement.