How does a topographic map show terrain features?

Question

Aaron Anderson · Accepted Answer

Contour lines show the rise and fall of elevation.

Among many other things, a primary feature of topographical maps are contour lines. Here's a quick and dirty illustration:

So, imagine this as a hill that, from the bottom left of the diagram proceeding up, gains elevation. You can think of the distance between each line as 20 meters up or down, depending on the direction you're going. So the first line after 100m is 120 meters above sea-level, then 140, then 160, 180, and finally 200m.

Another way to think of it would be if you were to walk along the contour lines perfectly, you would never gain or lose elevation!

Also, each topo map has a different measure between contour lines (20m is actually pretty big compared to most maps I've seen, though I live in a pretty flat place!) that's usually printed somewhere on the map.

Benjamin Awad · Answer

undefined A topographic map shows terrain features through contour lines, which represent the elevation and shape of the land. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, allowing readers to visualize hills, valleys, ridges, and other landforms. The spacing between contour lines indicates the steepness of the terrain: closer spacing indicates steep slopes, while wider spacing indicates flatter areas. Additionally, topographic maps may include symbols and colors to represent various features such as rivers, roads, forests, and buildings.