"In modern mapping, a topographic map or topographic sheet is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief features, usually using contour lines..."
Introduction to topographic symbols used on maps.
Introduction to Topographic Symbols: This topic provides an overview of what topographic symbols are, their purpose, and how they are used in maps.
Map Scale: Understanding map scale is crucial to interpreting topographic symbols accurately. This topic covers the basics of map scale and how it affects the representation of topography on a map.
Elevation Contours: Elevation contours are one of the most fundamental topographic symbols. This topic explains what they are, how they are created, and how to interpret them on a map.
Slopes and Relief: Slopes and relief are key aspects of topography that can be represented through symbols on a map. This topic covers how these symbols are created and how to interpret them.
Water Features: Topographic symbols are also used to represent water features such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. This topic explains the symbols used for these features and how to identify them on a map.
Vegetation and Land Cover: Vegetation and land cover are important components of topography, and their symbols are used to indicate the type and density of vegetation and land cover in a given area.
Human-made Features: Human-made features such as buildings, roads, and bridges can also be represented through topographic symbols on a map. This topic covers the symbols used for these features and how to identify them on a map.
Map Projections: Map projections affect how topographic symbols are represented on a map. This topic explains different types of map projections and how they affect the accuracy and interpretation of topographic symbols.
Coordinate Systems: Understanding coordinate systems is crucial to interpreting topographic symbols accurately, especially when using GPS devices. This topic covers the basics of coordinate systems and their use in topographical mapping.
Topographic Maps vs. Navigational Charts: While both topographic maps and navigational charts represent topography, they have different uses and different symbols. This topic covers the differences between these types of maps and how to read them.
Contour Lines: These lines indicate changes in elevation and represent the shape of the land.
Spot Heights: These are small circles that indicate the exact elevation at a particular point.
Benchmarks: A small symbol indicating a known elevation or reference point.
Hachures: Short lines that indicate a depression or low point in the land form.
Slope Arrows: These symbols indicate the direction and steepness of a slope.
Distance Scale: A line or bar indicating the distance between two points on the map.
Trail Markings: Symbols, letters or lines indicating a path, trail or footpath.
Water Features: Symbols, shading or color indicating lakes, streams, ponds, or wetlands.
Buildings: Symbols indicating permanent structures or buildings.
Vegetation: Symbols, shading or color indicating land covered by forests, meadows, cultivated land or grasslands.
Transportation: Symbols indicating roads, railroads, airports, bridges, tunnels or other transportation routes.
Powerlines: Symbols indicating the location of electric power lines.
Boundaries: Symbols indicating property lines or governmental boundaries.
Mineral Deposits: Symbols indicating the location and type of mineral resources.
"These maps depict in detail ground relief (landforms and terrain), drainage (lakes and rivers), forest cover, administrative areas, populated areas, transportation routes and facilities (including roads and railways), and other man-made features."
"...but historically using a variety of methods."
"usually using contour lines (connecting points of equal elevation)..."
"Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and artificial features."
"A topographic survey is typically based upon a systematic observation and published as a map series, made up of two or more map sheets that combine to form the whole map."
"A topographic map series uses a common specification that includes the range of cartographic symbols employed, as well as a standard geodetic framework that defines the map projection, coordinate system, ellipsoid and geodetic datum."
"Official topographic maps also adopt a national grid referencing system."
"They are distinguished from smaller-scale 'chorographic maps' that cover large regions..."
"They are distinguished from... 'planimetric maps' that do not show elevations..."
"They are distinguished from... 'thematic maps' that focus on specific topics."
"...the representation of relief (contours) is popularly held to define the genre, such that even small-scale maps showing relief are commonly (and erroneously, in the technical sense) called 'topographic'."
"The study or discipline of topography is a much broader field of study, which takes into account all natural and man-made features of terrain."
"Maps were among the first artifacts to record observations about topography."
"These maps depict in detail ground relief (landforms and terrain), drainage (lakes and rivers), forest cover, administrative areas, populated areas, transportation routes and facilities (including roads and railways), and other man-made features."
"Natural Resources Canada provides this description of topographic maps:..."
"...large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief features..."
"A topographic survey is typically based upon a systematic observation..."
"...made up of two or more map sheets that combine to form the whole map."
"...relief (contours) is popularly held to define the genre..."