Unit 3:

How to read a topographical map

What is a topographic map?

• Shows the shape of the Earth’s surface

• Contour lines … imaginary lines that show heights, depths, and steepness

Features on a topographic map

What features do you notice on this map?

Examples

(Beaufort, NC) (Yosemite National Park, California)

(Salt Lake City, Utah) (Mount Rainier, Washington)

Summary!• Thin brown lines represent contours or points of similar elevation.

The closer together they are, the steeper the terrain. • Contour lines form "v" shapes in valleys or along stream beds. The

point of the "v" points uphill. • Blue represents water. • Green represents orchards and forested areas. • Purple markings are those that have been "photorevised," or

added to the map since the original map was published.• Red areas represent urban areas, although the maps will often

indicate special buildings of significance within the urbanized area. • Roads and highways are represented in black and red.

Practice!

Can you locate:• A river?• A reservoir?• A valley?• A mountain

peak?

Topographical Map of U.S.