what in the world is a topographic map?

Question

i want somthing that is not confusing and is a specifec answer

this is a ctually my homework and i am to sleepy to do it

oh yea, what is the origin of topographic

Answer 1

Topographic maps, also called contour maps, topo maps or topo quads (for quadrangles), are maps that show topography, or land contours, by means of contour lines. Contour lines are curves that connect contiguous points of the same altitude (isohypse). In other words, every point on the marked line of 100 m elevation is 100 m above mean sea level.

Answer 2

Imagine two piles of hard compacted dirt very close together, just touching at the bottom edges. Imagine now that just below the top you make an imaginary cut with a huge imaginary knife and the cut is paralled to the floor. Throw away the cut dirt and you have a contour where the cut has been made, these are "contour lines". Imagine that you keep making cuts from top to bottom at regular vertical distances and you keep making these cuts till you reach the bottom. You now have a collection of "contour lines". Now just drop vertically all those contour lines on what is now the flat bottom of the floor because you have thrown away all the dirt. You now have a "topographic map" and all you have to do is mark on each contour line the elevation it has. You can start with elevation zero at the floor. If your cuts were every 2 feet vertically, then each contour line would show the "hills" every two feet. The more steep is the hill, the more close together the countour lines will be. The less steep the hill is the more spaced the contour lines will be. Going from top to bottom the contour lines will be closer and closer together till finally they will join in one big contour line where the two hills meet at the bottom (the valley).

Answer 3

A Topographic map is also called a contour map. Topographic maps or topo quads (for quadrangles), are maps that show topography, or land contours, by means of contour lines. Contour lines are curves that connect contiguous points of the same altitude (isohypse). In other words, every point on the marked line of 100 m elevation is 100 m above mean sea level. (wikipedia.org)

Answer 4

A topographic map shows the detailed topograhy of the land - hills, valleys, mountains, as well as rivers, streams, swamps.

Imagine using layers of cakes to show elevation of land forms. Large bases at the bottom, and smaller shapes representing hills and mountains, stepped up as the elevation increases. If the steps are broad between adjacent contours, then the change in slope is gentle. If the steps are close together, the slope is steep.

Colors and patterns are used to designate vegetation: grass lands, forests, deserts, marsh lands, etc.

Topo maps are extremely useful for hikers, as they are very accurate and detailed, identifying major land forms in shape, specific heights, distances by scale and by direction by compass headings.

Answer 5

A topographic map is a graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface, drawn to scale, as seen from above, using contour lines to show elevation. Lines closer together indicate steeper grade, while lines farther apart indicate flat land or a shallow incline.

Answer 6

A topographic map is a map that has lines indicating the altitude of the ground. It looks like lots of wavy lines. Each line shows an elevation.

;-D Maps are fun.

Answer 7

stable question t bones--in case you reside close to a college, they are going to have them on plate--paper--they're very particular for learn. various the topographical maps of Canada are carried out in 3-D, so which you get a collection of stereosciopes (uncertain of the call) glasses on ya, and you does not have faith it. comparable interior the U. S. if yer there. As for the international, probably Google Earth

Answer 8

its a map that shows elevation...
it uses lines called contour lines that are placed on the map at a certain elevation, depending on the map, such as every 100ft of elevation or every 20ft, depending on the map. when you look at the map the closer the lines are the steeper the terrain is. so a flat plain would have few if any lines, a cliff the lines will merge together.

Answer 9

I think generally it is a map specifically showing elevation of all the land. I'm hoping it's right because I took it in geography many many years ago in college. To read the map you need a special magnifier.

Answer 10

a topographic map is one which shows the hills and valleys of a trac of land... kind of like a 2 dimensional map...it also shows the the direction of slope and some the degree of slope..