Introduction to
Map Reading
GRC JROTC
COL(R) ALEXANDER
Map Reading I
Outline
Purpose
 Objectives
 Marginal Information
 Colors
 Terrain Features
 Conclusion

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Purpose
To lay the groundwork for successful
map reading and land navigation by
exposing the cadet to basic information,
significant color coding, and terrain
features used on maps.
Map Reading I
Objectives

Become familiar with marginal information
on a map sheet.

Identify topographic symbols on a military
map.

Identify the five (5) major, three (3)
minor and two (2) supplemental terrain
features on a map.

Determine grid coordinates on a map.
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Margin Information

Sheet Name:

Sheet Number:

Adjoining Map
Sheets Diagram:
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Margin Information

Special Notes:

Declination Diagram:
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Margin Information

Scales:

Contour Interval Notes:

Grid Reference Box:
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Margin Information

Unit Imprint:

Legend:
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Topographic Symbols
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Colors (x6)

BLACK: Man-made features (Buildings, roads, grid-lines)

RED-BROWN: cultural features (contour lines)

BLUE: Water features (Lakes, swamps and rivers)

BROWN: Relief features and elevation on older or red-light
readable maps (contour lines and cultivated land)

GREEN: Vegetation (forest, woods, brush, orchards)

RED: Man-made features (populated areas, major highway
roads, boundaries on older maps)
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Topographic Symbols: Blue
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Topographic Symbols: Green
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Contour Lines & Interval
(Brown or Red-Brown)
1. Check contour interval
2. Find given elevation
3. Determine direction of
slope
4. Count contour
intervals.
Change in
ELEVATION
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Contour Lines & Interval
Lines that are farther apart (interval) = GENTLE SLOPE
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Contour Lines & Interval
Lines that are close together (interval) = STEEP SLOPE
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Major Terrain Features
(x 5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Hill.
Valley.
Ridge.
Saddle.
Depression.
H idden
V alley
R anch
S alad
D ressing
Major Terrain Features
1 of 5
Hill: An area of high ground
X
- Concentric circles. The center of the smallest circle is the
hilltop.
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Major Terrain Features
3 of 5
Valley: a stretched-out groove in the land,
usually formed by streams or rivers.
Valley
- U or V shaped contour lines. High ground on 3 sides usually
with water flowing in the middle. V or U points upstream.
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Valley
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Major Terrain Features
4 of 5
Ridge: This is a sloping line of high ground.
- low ground in three directions and high ground in one direction.
Contour lines tend to be U-shaped or V-shaped. The closed end
of the contour line points to lower ground
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Ridgeline
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Major Terrain Features
2 of 5
Saddle: Low point between 2 areas of high
ground
X
- hour glass or figure eight contour lines.
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Saddle
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Major Terrain Features
5 of 5
Depression: This is a low point in the ground.
- Low ground or sink hole. Closed contour lines that have tick
marks pointing toward low ground.
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Depression
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Minor Terrain Features
(x 3)
1.
2.
3.
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Draw.
Spur.
Cliff.
Minor Terrain Features
1 of 3
Draw: a less developed stream course than a
valley. There is essentially no level ground .
-
contour lines depicting a draw are U-shaped or V-shaped,
pointing toward high ground.
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Minor Terrain Features
2 of 3
Spur: a short, continuous sloping line of
higher ground, normally jutting out from the
side of a ridge.
- Contour lines depict the U or V pointing away from high
ground.
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Spur & Draw
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Minor Terrain Features
3 of 3
Cliff: a vertical or near vertical feature.
-
Contour line converge together into one “Carrying” contour.
The last contour has tick marks pointing towards low ground.
Sometimes depicted by contours running very close or
touching.
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Cliff
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Supplementary Terrain
Features (x 2)
1.
2.
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Cut.
Fill.
Supplementary Terrain
Features
Cut or Fill: a man-made feature resulting from
cutting through high ground or filling low
ground.
-
Contour line extends the length of the cut (tick marks point to
roadbed) and fill (tick marks point away from roadbed).
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Practical Exercise
8
9
6
6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Practical Exercise Key
1. HILL
2. VALLEY
3. RIDGE
4. SADDLE
5. DEPRESSION
6. DRAW
7. SPUR
8. CLIFF
9. CUT
10. FILL
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HILL
RIDGE
SADDLE
SPUR
DRAW
X
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Identify the TERRAIN
FEATURE of the CIRCLES
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Summary
Purpose
 Marginal Information
 Colors (x6)
 Terrain Features




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Major
Minor
Supplementary
Conclusion
Knowing how to read and
understand maps are valuable
skills that can strengthen your
awareness, credibility as a
leader, and help you standout
among your peers.
Map Reading I
Introduction to Map Reading
GRC JROTC
COL. ALEXANDER
Map Reading I