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Topographic Maps Study Guide
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I understand the purpose of a topographic map and what the lines on it
represent.
- I can use a topographic map to figure out the shape of land and identify features
- Given two labeled contour lines, I can figure out the contour interval of a
topographic map.
VOCAB
Topographic Map
Elevation
Contour Interval
Contour Line
Steep
Flat
Cliff
River
Hilltop
Valley
Ridge
* Remember that the closer the contour lines are to each other, the more steep the
land is and the further away the lines are, the less steep the land is.
* To figure out the contour interval of a map, find the difference in elevation between
two labeled contour lines. Then, divide the difference by the number of lines between the
two elevations.
* Hilltops usually appear as closed circles of higher elevation. Closed circles of lower
elevation are holes.
* Ridges appear in V or U shapes that point towards the lower elevation. Valleys appear
in V or U shapes that point towards lower elevation.