Topographic maps are a detailed record of a land area , giving geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show the shape of the land the mountains, valleys, and plains by means of brown contour lines (lines of equal elevation above sea level).
What do topographic maps mainly show?
Topographic maps render the three-dimensional ups and downs of the terrain on a two-dimensional surface. Topographic maps usually portray both natural and manmade features . They show and name works of nature including mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation.
What are topographic maps used for?
A topographic map is a map illustrating the topography or shape of the land surface . Topographic maps show the locations and form of hills, valleys, streams, and other features as well as many man-made landmarks. They illustrate the shape and elevation of surface features by the use of contour lines.
What are 3 things a topographic map can show?
Topographic maps are a detailed record of a land area, giving geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show the shape of the land the mountains, valleys, and plains by means of brown contour lines (lines of equal elevation above sea level).
What are the 4 main uses of topographic maps?
Topographic maps have many multiple uses in the present day: any type of geographic planning or large-scale architecture ; earth sciences and many other geographic disciplines; mining and other earth-based endeavours; civil engineering and recreational uses such as hiking and orienteering.
How do you explain topography?
Topography describes the physical features of an area of land . These features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included. Topography often records the various elevations of an area using a topographical map.
What are the symbols on a topographic map?
- Brown lines – contours (note that intervals vary)
- Black lines – roads, railroads, trails, and boundaries.
- Red lines – survey lines (township, range, and section lines)
- Blue areas – streams and solid is for larger bodies of water.
- Green areas – vegetation, typically trees or dense foliage.
What are the different types of topographic maps?
Because topographic maps are usually associated with elevation data they are sometimes referred to as terrain maps, elevation maps, altitude maps, contour maps . Elevation data for these types of maps can be collected via a variety of different devices.
How does a topographic map work?
Topographic maps use a combination of colors, shading and contour lines to represent changes in elevation and terrain shape . Essentially, topographic maps represent the three-dimensional landscape of Earth within the two-dimensional space of a map.
What does a river look like on a topographic map?
All rivers flow downhill from higher to the lower elevations, perpendicular to the contour line above it. As a rule of thumb, the V-shaped contour is pointing upstream (the opposite direction from the flow of a stream or river). The “V” shape contours indicate streams and drainage.
What are the three main types of topography?
- Karst Topography. Karst topography describes the distinct landscape that is made when underlying rocks dissolve or change shape. ...
- Mountain Topography. Topographical maps show landforms such as hills and mountains. ...
- Vegetation, Elevation and Glaciers.
Is a desert a topographic feature?
Explanation: Topography is defined as the formations on the crust of the Earth, including mountains, valleys, and canyons. The presence of mountains can contribute to an area, such as a desert, getting little rainfall. Mountains cause hot air to cool, which means less water can be held in the air.
What topographic means?
A topographic (or topo) map not only shows the surface features of a region but also indicates the contours and approximate altitude of every location, by means of numerous curving lines, each indicating a single elevation. In other words, it shows a “three-dimensional” picture on a two-dimensional surface.
What are the five map symbols?
Most maps will have the five following things: a Title, a Legend, a Grid, a Compass Rose to indicate direction, and a Scale .
How can you identify a steep area on a topographic map?
The more closely spaced the contour lines, the steeper the slope. You can find out exactly how steep the slope of the area you are interested in by subtracting the lowest elevation from the highest, and dividing the result by the horizontal distance . Horizontal distance is found on the scale.
