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Type: article
Parent page: What to Know About Contour Lines on Topographic Maps
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Maps are vital if you are working in unfamiliar territory. The chart illustrates the topography of the area showing locations and other features like streams, hills, and valleys. Also, topographic maps feature man-made landmarks like dams. From the charts, you know the elevation and shape of the land area.
Tools in Topographic Maps
Contour Lines
These are imaginary lines connecting points with equal elevation. It’s depicted in a two-dimensional representation on paper. It displays vertical differences in land elevation between contour intervals or adjacent contour lines. Contour lines communicate details of the land through the spacing and shape of the lines. Contour lines tell you where there are valleys, hills, and their elevations.
Parallel Lines
Parallel lines are used to indicate where wide rivers are located. The lines also show streams. Creeks and streams are noted using single blue lines. Moreover, lakeshores and coastal outlines are indicated using individual unlabelled lines. Wide rivers are shown using blue lines approximating their mean width.
Man-Made Structures
Man-made structures are labelled on the topographic map using suitable key features. The structures include bridges, roads, buildings, and dams, etc. Features are delineated in colour. Roads are printed in black or red, and other structures are printed in black too. Cities are printed in gray or purple shading.
Vegetation
Topographic maps depict vegetation in green shading. In any topographic map, you can get an accurate detail of any location. You can find any site using the maps, whether you are going hunting, planning an expedition, or any other reason. The entire country of Canada is mapped.
Longitude and Latitude Tick Marks
Longitude and latitudes are useful in locating an exact area in the topographic map. It narrows the field of search. The lines are at the margins of the chart and cover the whole area. The longitude represents the width, while latitude represents height. Topographic maps are updated every few years to capture new developments and ensure accuracy.