The document defines and explains topography and topographic maps. It describes how topographic maps use contour lines to represent elevation, with closer lines indicating steeper slopes. Contour lines circle around mountains and point upstream along streams. Other symbols convey features like roads, vegetation, buildings and landforms. Index contours are labeled to indicate the contour interval elevation difference between lines. Topographic maps provide visual information about natural and man-made terrain.

1. What is TOPOGRAPHY?
Topography is the physical and natural features of the land
A topographic map shows natural features (such as elevation)
and man made features (such as schools)

2. Contour Lines
The squiggly lines on a topographic map are called contour
lines
Contour lines are lines that represent a certain height or
elevation
All points on a contour lines are the same elevation

3. Contour Lines and Elevation
Imagine a picture of a
mountain and then imagine
there were lines drawn around
it every 20 feet
What would the mountain
with the lines look like if you
stood on the side of it?
What would the mountain
with the lines look like if you
were looking down on it from
an airplane?

4. Contour Lines and Elevation
The closer the contour lines are to each other, the steeper
the slope is!

5. Other Topographic Terms
Map scale – compares distances on the map with distances on
earth.
Legend – explains symbols used on the map.
Index contours – contour lines that are labeled to help you
find the contour interval.
Relief – the difference in elevation between any 2 points
A contour interval is the difference in elevation between two
contour lines that are side by side.
Remember that a contour interval is not the distance
between the two lines – to get the distance you need to use
the map scale.

6. Answer the Following…
Circle the map scale
Is there a legend?
Circle at least one
index contour
What is the contour
interval?

7. Mountains
Mountains are represented by a series of circles
This is a top down view

8. Depressions
A depression, such as the inside of a dead volcano, is
represented by Hachure lines.
Hachure lines are regular contour lines with small segments
sticking out from it.
The first hachure line is at the same elevation as the contour
line before it.

9. Streams
Streams are found in areas of low elevation
Streams are sometimes represented by a dark line
Contour lines form Vs that point upstream (toward higher
elevation)
The Vs point in the
opposite direction that
the water flows

10. Answer the Following….
What letter represents the
stream?
What type of elevation is
here?
Which way is the water
moving: to the right or to
the left?

11. Topographic Symbols
Mappers, also called cartographers use symbols to represent
certain things on a topographic map
For example, the color green represents an area with lots of
trees or vegetation

12. Topographic Symbols
Red is used to show a road, highway or interstate

13. Topographic Symbols
Buildings are usually shown as little black squares

14. What landforms can be shown on a
topographic map?
Canyons – deep valleys with steep sides, often with streams
flowing through
River deltas – “end” of a river, where the river enters a
larger body of water
Mountains or hills – high elevation
Valleys/depressions – low elevation
Ridges – long, narrow elevation or chain of mountains

15. What’s happening here?
Which direction has higher elevation?
How do you know?

16. What’s happening here?
Is this steeper or more gradual than
the last slide? How can you tell?
Which direction has higher elevation?

17. What’s happening here?
Mountain or valley? How
can you tell?