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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).
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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?