Topographic map
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Example of a topographic map with contour lines |
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Part of the same map in a perspective shaded relief view illustrates how the contour lines of the original follow the terrain |
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.
There are several rules to note when viewing topographic maps:
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The rule of Vs: sharp-pointed vees usually are in stream valleys, with the drainage channel passing through the point of the vee, with the vee pointing upstream. This is a consequence of
erosion.
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The rule of Os: closed loops are normally uphill on the inside and downhill on the outside, and the innermost loop is the highest area. If a loop instead represents a depression, some maps note this by short lines radiating from the inside of the loop, called "hachures".
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Spacing of contours: close contours indicate a steep slope; distant contours a shallow slope. Two or more contour lines merging indicates a cliff.
Of course, to determine differences in elevation between two points, the contour interval, or distance in altitude between two adjacent contour lines, must be known, and this is given at the bottom of the map. In most cases, contour intervals are consistent throughout a map. Sometimes dashed contour lines are present; these represent half the noted contour interval.
These maps usually show not only the contours, but also any significant
streams or other bodies of
water,
forest cover, built-up areas or individual buildings (depending on scale), and other features and points of interest.
Topographic maps are prepared using
aerial photography.
United States
The
United States Geological Survey produces several national series of topographic maps. The oldest series is the fifteen-minute series, meaning that each map portrays an area fifteen minutes of
longitude wide by fifteen minutes of
latitude high; roughly . The newer standard series is the 7.5-minute series with a scale of 1:24000. Each 7.5-minute series map covers one quarter of the area of a fifteen-minute series map, and therefore each is called a quadrangle or "quad". USGS topographic quadrangle maps are marked to make it possible to identify locations according to the
Public Land Survey System in addition to latitude and longitude and
UTM grids. There are also other series, including some county maps and maps of special interest areas, such as the
Grand Canyon, and there are also smaller-scale maps showing much larger areas.
A number of Internet sites have made these maps available on the web for affordable commercial and professional use. Because works of the U.S. Government are in the
public domain, it is also possible to find many of these maps for free at various locations on the Internet, as well as
DEM datasets that digitally describe topology.
United Kingdom
The
Ordnance Survey produces topographic map series covering the
United Kingdom at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000. They have a mapping database from which they can print specialist maps at any scale.
France
The
Institut géographique national produces topographic maps of
France at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000.
Switzerland
The
Federal Office of Topography produces topographic maps of
Switzerland at seven different scales.
Denmark
The
National Survey and Cadastre of Denmark is responsible for producing topographic and nautical geodata of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
This map is derived from
GTOPO30 data that describes the elevation of
Earth's terrain at intervals of 30 arcseconds (approximately 1 km). It uses color and shading instead of contour lines to indicate elevation.
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| 1800x1800, 1MB. 60px=1min. 1px=1sec. |
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Digital raster graphic*
Digital elevation model*
Digital terrain model*
Geography*
Geologic map*The Canadian
National Topographic System*
Denmark's National Survey and Cadastre.
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Swisstopo (
Switzerland)
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United States Geological Survey Topographic Maps.
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Centre for Topographic Information --- Canadian Topographic Maps*
Topographic Symbols*
The Ordnance Survey*
Institut Géographique National*
Downloadable ETOPO2 Raw Data Database (2 minute grid)*
Downloadable ETOPO5 Raw Data Database (5 minute grid)*
How a Topographic Map is Manufactured, History, and Other Information*
Topographical Model Donation Project, a practical application by American artist Allan McCollum
