One common point of view is that there are two main types of maps:

Topographic Maps They usually do this with lines of equal elevation known as “contour lines”, but elevation can also be shown using colors (second map), color gradients, shaded relief and a number of other methods. Topographic maps also show other important natural features such as lakes, rivers and streams.

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).

physical map

Topographic maps represent the locations of geographical features, such as hills and valleys. Topographic maps use contour lines to show different elevations on a map. A contour line is a type of isoline; in this case, a line of equal elevation. If you walk along a contour line you will not go uphill or downhill.

• those which summarise the actual landscape (topographic and general reference maps); and.
• those which describe ⁄ comment on specific features using the landscape as a background or for context (all other maps – usually called thematic maps).

Contour maps use contour lines to indicate height and maybe, more importantly, changes in elevation across the terrain. A relief map is a type of topographic map that doesn’t use contour lines. Elevation data is continuous data.

According to the ICSM (Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping), there are five different types of maps: General Reference, Topographical, Thematic, Navigation Charts and Cadastral Maps and Plans.

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.

Topography Types

• 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.

Topography is the study of the land surface. In particular, it lays the underlying foundation of a landscape. For example, topography refers to mountains, valleys, rivers, or craters on the surface. The narrow definition of topography is specific to the arrangement of landforms.

Whenever you’re in a remote or unfamiliar area, a topographic map and compass are a must. Topographic maps are created from aerial photographs and reveal the contours of the land, including hills, ridges, and valleys, as well as lakes, rivers, creeks, trails, and roads. Contour lines show the elevation of the ground.

Topographic maps are an important tool because they can represent the three-dimensional landscape in two dimensions. A person who can read a topo map can find out the location of peaks, valleys, ridges and saddles, among other land features.

Draw several lines, called transects, across a USGS topographic map. Create cross-sections (profiles) along these transects, using the contour lines to determine the elevation at each position along the transect.

Who uses topography maps? Hikers, campers, snow skiers, city and county planners, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, miners, loggers, highway planners and construction workers, travelers, surveyors, geologists, engineers, and scientists are just a few of the people who use topographic maps.

Most maps will have the five following things: a Title, a Legend, a Grid, a Compass Rose to indicate direction, and a Scale.

Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today’s standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way.

What does a topographic map show? it shows natural features such as rivers and lakes. They also show some features made by people such as brodges. They also show elevation.

You can figure out the elevation of any point by finding the nearest labeled line, counting the number of lines above or below it, multiplying by the contour interval, and adding or subtracting the result from the nearest marked contour line. The more closely spaced the contour lines, the steeper the slope.

Hachures are short lines laid down in a pattern to indicate direction of slope. When it became feasible to map rough terrain in more detail, hachuring developed into an artistic speciality.…

Contour lines

An easy-to-remember equation for finding change in elevation as a decimal is “rise over run,” meaning the rise (the change in vertical distance) divided by the run (the change in horizontal distance). As an example, let’s say the rise is 2 and the run is 6. So, you’d take 2 over 6 (or 2/6) to get .

1 : the height to which something is elevated: such as. a : the angular distance of something (such as a celestial object) above the horizon. b : the degree to which a gun is aimed above the horizon. c : the height above the level of the sea : altitude.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topo- graphic maps are printed using up to six colors (black, blue, green, red, brown, and purple). Black for cultural features, boundaries, and names. Blue for water features. Red for highway classifications, built-up areas, fence lines, and U.S. Public Land Survey lines.

• RED -Overprinted on primary and secondary roads to highlight them.
• BLACK -Manmade or cultural features.
• BLUE -Water-related features.
• BROWN -Contour lines and elevation numbers.
• GREEN -Vegetation features.
• WHITE -Sparse or no vegetation.
• PURPLE -Denotes revisions that have been made to a map using aerial photos.

Ans:- The most important purpose of the political map is to show territorial borders; the purpose of the physical is to show features of geography such as mountains, soil type or land use including infrastructure such as roads, railroads and buildings. Hope this helps.

Blue: lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, reservoirs, highways, and local borders. Red: major highways, roads, urban areas, airports, special-interest sites, military sites, place names, buildings, and borders. Yellow: built-up or urban areas. Green: parks, golf courses, reservations, forest, orchards, and highways.