Introduction to Map Reading
GRC JROTC
COL(R) ALEXANDER
Map Reading I
Outline
Purpose
 Marginal Information
 Colors
 Terrain Features
 Conclusion

Map Reading I
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
Marginal Information
1 of 4
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Sheet Name

Sheet Number

Adjoining Map
Sheets Diagram
Map Reading I
Marginal Information
2 of 4
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Special Notes

Declination Diagram
Map Reading I
Marginal Information
3 of 4
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Scales

Contour Interval Notes

Grid Reference Box
Map Reading I
Marginal Information
4 of 4
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Unit Imprint

Legend
Map Reading I
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)
Map Reading I
Contour Lines & Interval
1. Check contour interval
2. Find given elevation
3. Determine direction of
slope
4. Count contour
intervals.
Change in
ELEVATION
Map Reading I
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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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Major Terrain Features
(x 5)
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
- Concentric circles. The center of the smallest circle is the
hilltop.
Map Reading I
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.
Map Reading I
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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Major Terrain Features
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Saddle: Low point between 2 areas of high
ground
X
- hour glass or figure eight contour lines.
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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.
Map Reading I
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.
Map Reading I
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.
Map Reading I
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.
Map Reading I
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).
Map Reading I
Practical Exercise
8
9
6
6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Map Reading I
Practical Exercise Key
1. HILL
2. VALLEY
3. RIDGE
4. SADDLE
5. DEPRESSION
6. DRAW
7. SPUR
8. CLIFF
9. CUT
10. FILL
Map Reading I
Summary
Purpose
 Marginal Information
 Colors (x6)
 Terrain Features




Map Reading I
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