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Aug 28, 2023 · Updated: May 27. Contour mapping is a technique used in cartography and geography to represent the three-dimensional shape and elevation of the Earth's surface on a two-dimensional map. Contour maps display lines called "contour lines" that connect points of equal elevation above a reference datum, typically mean sea level.
A topographic map is a detailed and accurate illustration of man-made and natural features on the ground such as roads, railways, power transmission lines, contours, elevations, rivers, lakes and geographical names. The topographic map is a two-dimensional representation of the Earth’s three-dimensional landscape.
Adjacent contour lines are separated by a constant difference in elevation, usually noted on the map. Topographic maps have a horizontal scale to indicate horizontal distances. People use topographic maps to locate surface features in a given area, to find their way through a particular area, and to determine the direction of water flow in a given area.
Nov 14, 2024 · 5.5 Contour Lines and Intervals. A contour line is a line drawn on a topographic map to indicate ground elevation or depression. A contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines. Index contours are bold or thicker lines that appear at every fifth contour line. If the numbers associated with specific ...
1. Contour lines do not cross each other, divide or split. 2. Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes, conversely, contour lines that are spaced far apart represent gentle slopes. 3. Contour lines trend up valleys and form a "V" or a "U" where they cross a stream. On most topographic maps, index contour lines are generally darker ...
Aug 18, 2022 · Topographic Contours. Many maps of land areas have series of curved lines, called contours, that represent the topography of the area. Such a map is called a topographic map. A contour is a horizontal curve that’s the locus of all points on the map with the same elevation (Figure 3-35).
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TIPS Know what map scale you're using in order to measure distance. Refer to the scale bar (at the bottom of the map). 1:50 000 scale: 1 cm = .5 km 1:250 000 scale: 1 cm = 2.5 km A legend explaining the symbols used can be found on the back of the map for easy reference. Remember that north is always at the top of the map.
