Cognitive Maps (Mental Maps, Mind Maps, Cognitive Models, or Mental Models) are a type of mental processing (cognition) composed of a series of psychological transformations by which an individual can acquire, code, store, recall and decode information about the relative locations and attributes of phenomena in their everyday or metaphorical spatial environment.

Put more simply, cognitive maps are a method we use to structure and store spatial knowledge, allowing the "mind's eye" to visualize images in order to reduce cognitive load and enhance recall and learning of information.

This type of spatial thinking can also be used as a metaphor for non-spatial tasks, where people performing non-spatial tasks involving memory and imaging use spatial knowledge to aid in processing the task.

More about Cognitive maps in Wikipedia.