A topographic map shows the shape and elevation of the land surface, along with major natural and human-made features.

Core idea

  • It uses contour lines to show how high or low the ground is and how steep or gentle slopes are.
  • It also shows features like mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, forests, roads, and towns, usually with different colors and symbols.

What the contour lines show

  • Lines that are close together mean a steep slope, like a cliff or mountain side.
  • Lines that are far apart mean a gentle slope or flat area such as plains or plateaus.
  • Closed loops can show hills or depressions, depending on the symbols used.

What features you can read

  • Landforms: hills, mountains, ridges, valleys, canyons, and plains.
  • Water: rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, and other drainage features.
  • Human-made: roads, railways, buildings, power lines, and boundaries.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.