It will give you a fundamentals on different types of map and an introduction on topographic mapping. This presentation is made for my report in Basic Geography Class

1. Topographic Mapping
By: Edmund G. Millare BSED-SS

2. Types of Maps
• Climate Maps - give general information about the climate and
precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Cartographers, or
mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or
precipitation zones.

3. • Economic or Resource Maps - feature the major types of natural
resources or economic activity in an area. Cartographers use
symbols to show the locations of natural resources or economic
activities. For example, wheat on a map of Maryland tells you
that wheat is grown there.

4. • Physical Maps - illustrate the physical features of an area, such
as the mountains, rivers and lakes. The water is usually shown
in blue. Colors are used to show relief—differences in land
elevations. Green is usually used at lower elevations, and
orange or brown show higher elevations.

5. • Street Maps/Road Maps - street maps illustrate smaller areas
such as towns and cities. People use street maps to find
directions to a place they want to go. A road map shows the
highways or interstates. These maps are also used to find
directions.

6. • Political Maps - do not show physical features. Instead,
they show state and national boundaries and capital and major
cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a
circle.

7. • Topographic Maps - include contour lines to show the shape
and elevation of an area. Lines that are close together show
steep terrain, and lines that are far apart show flat terrain.
Many hikers use topographic maps, especially in areas where
there are no roads with signs. Geologists depend on
topographic maps to record the types of rocks. Engineers use
topographic maps when they are planning roads, buildings, or
other human–made structures.

8. Parts of Map
1. Scale: Scale is used to show that a certain distance on the map represents
the actual distance on the earths surface. On a map, scale is represented
using words (for example, one inch = 400 miles) or using a graphic (a line
graph).
2. Title: What the map is about. The title is generally the biggest, darkest,
most noticeable text on your map.
3. Legend or Key: Used for defining and understanding the symbols found
on the map. It is usually in one of the corners of the map and is often
enclosed by a box. It explains the meaning of the different sizes, shapes,
and colors used in the map.
4. Symbols: The things on the map which stand for or represent real things
on the earth’s surface. Symbols vary according to 2 categories: color and
shape. For example: a star  is often used to represent the capital city or
yellow to represent a desert.
5. Compass: The compass shows which way is up on the map. Nearly all
maps are printed so that north is towards the top of the page. This is shown
by a compass rose using N, S, E, and W.

9. TITLE
COMPASS ROSE
SCALE
LEGEND
and
Symbols

10. What is a Topographic
Map?
In contrast to most maps, a
topographic map shows the
shape of the Earth’s surface
by using contour lines.

11. Contours are imaginary
lines that join points
of equal elevation
above or below sea
level.

12. Let’s take a walk up a hill!

13. We’re now at an elevation of 100
meters.
100m

14. Let’s keep going!
100m

15. Now we’re at 200m.
200m
100m

16. Shall we march on?
200m
100m

17. We’ve made it to 300m!
300m
200m
100m

18. On to the peak!
300m
200m
100m

19. We’re on the peak, but what’s our
elevation?
300m
200m
100m

20. Any ideas?
Let’sadd contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps.
300m
200m
100m

21. We know that we are above 350m, but less than 400m.
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

22. Let’s head down the hill, it’s getting late!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

23. Now what’s our elevation?
If you said somewhere between 200m and 250m you are right!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

24. Let’s try this again!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

25. What’s our elevation now?
If you said 50m or just under, you’re right!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

26. Let’s
now look at the
same hill, but the
way we might see it
from an airplane!

27. Each color change represents a
50 meter increase.

28. Now, let’s try the same hike! Our
elevation is 0 meters.

29. Now what is our elevation?

30. If you said more than 150 meters,
but less than 200 meters your
right!

31. Let’s go a little higher.

32. Think you know our elevation
now?
More than 300meters
But less than 350meters

33. If we were standing on the peak,
what would be our elevation?
• More than 350 meters,
less than 400 meters

34. Let’s head down hill.

35. Know our elevation?

36. More than 100 meters,
less than 150 meters

37. What are contour lines?
• Contour lines are lines
20 ft elevation decrease
that connect points that
are of the same
elevation.
20 ft elevation increase
• They show the exact
elevation, the shape of
the land, and the
steepness of the land’s
20 ft elevation increase
slope.
• Contour lines never
touch or cross. The elevation difference from one line to another
is called the contour interval. On the map
portion below the contour interval is 20 ft.

38. The contour interval is usually printed on a
topographic map.
PSC 121 Prince George's Community

39. • If the contour lines are far apart, then that
indicates the land has a gentle slope (low
slope).
• If the contour lines are close together,
then that indicates that area has a steep
slope.

41. Contours and Profiles
You can generate a profile of a landform from the
contour lines on a topographic map.

42. Contours and Profiles
From a contour plot
we can draw an
axis line.
We can then drop
lines straight down
to a grid labeled with
elevations to the
correct value.
Connecting the
points generates
a profile or
cross-section of
the map.

44. Map Symbols
Topographic
maps usually
have a
separate sheet
with an
explanation of
map symbols.
There is no
room on the
map for all the
symbols
PSC 121 Prince George's Community
Sample page from USGS Topo Map Symbol Pamphlet

45. Map Symbols
Marsh
Stream
Forest
Intermittent Stream
Secondary Highway
Houses