Middle school students’map thinking is a cognitive activity that uses graphics and images to understand, analyze and solve geospatial problems, and it is a bridge connecting map tools and regional cognition. Based on cartography theory, this study constructs a hierarchical development model of map thinking oriented to regional cognition competences, and takes The Distribution Law of World Surface Ocean Currents as an example to practice the teaching strategy of“Graphic Phenomenon - Analyze Maps to Explain Causes - Adjust Maps to Solve Puzzles”, so as to provide theoretical basis and practical path for deepening map teaching and cultivating students' regional cognition competences.