Question

How do you read a topographic map?

Answer 1

Hint: Topographic maps are which gives the complete record of the earth’s area, it also shows the geographical locations like plateaus, mountains, valleys, and man-made features like roads, buildings, railway line, etc; it gives a detailed representation of the earth's surface.

Complete answer:
In a Topographic map, the elevation change is shown with contour lines. Contour lines help us to differentiate, mountain shapes, slopes and it also helps to know how deep the ocean is. Contour lines may be hard to understand. In topographic maps, colors are used for a better understanding of geographical locations. Contour lines drawn in these maps can be read, there are three contour lines they include, Index lines, Intermediate lines, and supplementary lines.Index lines are represented with a number label, these are the thickest lines, and it also helps us to know about the elevation of above sea level.

Intermediate lines are thin and it does not have a number label like Index lines. Here supplementary lines are drawn as dotted lines, which gives a view of flatter terrain.In this map, cross marks denote the intersection of longitude and latitude. Even though these Contour lines are difficult to understand, it is mostly used by the cartographers, it helps the wildlife service people, adventurous people, and rock-climbers.

Note:Topographic maps let us know the boundaries of state and international borders, showing a clear view of the dimensional surface and basis of coloring the maps. It also has disadvantages as understanding this map is quite hard and land masses may be distorted here.